§ 7. Mr. Ray PowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy, what recent meetings he has had with the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board to discuss the privatisation of electricity.
§ Mr. ParkinsonI meet the chairman of the CEGB, Lord Marshall, regularly to discuss various matters relating to the privatisation of the electricity supply industry.
§ 23. Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what interest has been shown by investors, both institutional and private. United Kingdom based and overseas, in investing in the privatisation of the electricity supply industry.
§ Mr. ParkinsonI am pleased to say that considerable interest is already being expressed in the privatisation of the electricity supply industry, and I am confident that the flotations will be a success.
§ Mr. PrescottTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had with his financial advisers about the implications of recent stock exchange difficulties for privatisation of the Central Electricity Generating Board and the timetable for such privatisation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI have discussions with my advisers on a wide range of subjects connected with the privatisation of the electricity supply industry. The privatisation will have to take account, amongst other factors, of the condition of the market at the time of the sale, not of last autumn, and I am confident that there will be wide interest among institutional investors and members of the public.
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§ 27. Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received on his proposals for protecting customer rights and standards of service when the electricity supply industry is privatised.
§ Mr. ParkinsonI have received representations from a range of interested parties welcoming the Government's proposals to give new rights to the consumer.
§ 28. Mr. DarlingTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received from interested parties in connection with the request that the electricity supply industry will be required to provide about one-fifth of the electricity from non-fossil sources following privatisation.
§ Mr. ParkinsonI have received a number of representations from a range of interested parties.
§ 29. Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the likely increase in electricity prices in the period leading up to privatisation of the electricity supply industry.
§ Mr. ParkinsonElectricity prices are set by the industry in the light of the Government's financial target and the scope they have to make cost reductions. It is too early to say what the price rise will be next year and beyond.
§ 34. Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received concerning the regulation of the proposed private electricity supply companies
§ Mr. ParkinsonI have received representations on a wide range of subjects connected with the privatisation of the electricity supply industry.