§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether, in the light of his proposals to privatise the electricity supply industry, he will issue a direction to the Central Electricity Generating Board to withdraw all its formal applications for the construction of new power stations under section 2 of the Electric Lighting Act 1909, until such time as the future pattern of the industry has been settled.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerNo. Until new legislation is brought forward and passed by Parliament, the Central Electricity Generating Board continues to have a statutory obligation to supply. It therefore remains its responsibility to plan sufficient generating capacity to meet the need for electricity in England and Wales.