§ Mr. RostTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he has taken to satisfy himself, in the light of the478W conclusions of the Price Waterhouse Report on electricity tariffs available to private producers, that the existing tariffs offered by the electricity boards comply with the provisions of the Energy Act 1983; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI have no reason to believe that in setting tariffs in the light of the Price Waterhouse report, the electricity supply industry has acted otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of the Energy Act 1983.
Tariffs fixed under the 1983 Act have to be based on the "avoided cost" principle, must not show undue preference and should be published; they must also be set after consultation with the consultative council and the Electricity Council.