HC Deb 07 March 1988 vol 129 cc24-5W
24. Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has now decided whether to produce a White Paper on privatisation of the electricity industry; and if he will make a statement.

29. Dr. Reid

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if will make a further statement on progress in preparing plans to privatise the electricity supply industry.

42. Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals he is considering for the control of the national grid after privatisation of the electricity industry.

22. Mr. Frank Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what progress he has made regarding the proposed publication of a White Paper on electricity privatisation.

Mr. Parkinson

I refer the hon. Members to my statement to the House of 25 February 1988.

33. Mr. Barron

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board to discuss the privatisation of the electricity supply industry; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Parkinson

I meet Lord Marshall frequently. I refer the hon. Member to my statement to the House of 25 February 1988.

38. Mr. Dykes

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to meet hon. Members to discuss various aspects of the Government's electricity privatisa-tion proposals.

Mr. Parkinson

I am always ready to discuss electricity privatisation with hon. Members. I refer my hon. Friend to my statement to the House of 25 February 1988.

40. Mr. Darling

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received with regard to the extent of non-United Kingdom ownership of the electricity industry in the event of its being privatised.

Mr. Michael Spicer

I have received a large number of representations on many aspects of electricity privatisation.

9. Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what cost savings have been achieved in the electricity industry since 1979; and what are the cost saving targets for 1987–88 and 1988–89.

Mr. Michael Spicer

Operating costs of electricity supply per unit sold fell in real terms by 10.3 per cent. between 1979–80 and 1986–87. The present performance aim is a reduction of 6.1 per cent. in controllable costs between 1983–84 and 1987–88. The performance aim for the next two financial years is under discussion.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he has made of the implications for his decision on the future structure of the electricity supply industry of the role played by the integrated grid system in maintaining power supplies following the lightning strike on the Sundon substation in May 1986, which resulted in the tripping of seven supergrid circuits; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Spicer

The Government recognise that national grid control must continue to direct the use of power stations to ensure that secure supplies are maintained. The future structure of the electricity supply industry provides for this. Nothing in the Government's proposals would affect the ability of the grid to deal with a similar incident to that at Sundon.

Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what recent representations he has received from the Confederation of British Industry on the rate of return required by the electricity industry; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Parkinson

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, East (Mr. Prescott) today.

19. Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had with the chairman or representatives of British Coal concerning privatisation of the electricity industry.

Mr. Parkinson

I meet the chairman of British Coal at regular intervals to discuss all aspects of the coal industry.