HC Deb 08 July 1988 vol 136 c770W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how Her Majesty's Government will ensure that the future generation of electricity, when privatised, will be strictly controlled in order to avoid environmental pollution.

Mr. Parkinson

This task will be carried out by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution or, in Scotland, Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate, which has the necessary statutory powers to control air pollution. Similarly, the control authorities for solid and liquid wastes also have the necessary powers to enable them to carry out their responsibilities.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, further to his reply to the supplementary question by the hon. Member for Wentworth (Mr. Hardy),Official Report, 4 July, column 712, which steps he took that led to his conclusion that reports that South African mining interests are preparing to take a substantial interest in, and influence over, a privatised electricity generating industry are pure fiction.

Mr. Parkinson

As I told the hon. Member for Wentworth (Mr. Hardy) on 4 July, there is no evidence that South African mining interests wish to have a major investment in the electricity supply industry.

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