§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what is the average interruption of supply in minutes in the area of East Midlands Electricity in 1990 so far;
(2) if he will list by electricity companies all interruptions of supply involving 10,000 consumers or more occurring on or after Friday 7 December indicating the commencement and conclusions of the interruptions in each case.
§ Mr. WakehamThe information requested covers matters which are the responsibility of the regional electricity companies.
§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he, his officials or advisers first became aware that Welsh Water was to buy, was buying or had bought shares in South Wales Electricity.
§ Mr. WakehamMy officials were informed on 13 December 1990 of the purchase of a stake in South Wales Electricity plc by Welsh Water plc.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he had with the international stock exchange regarding the maximum percentage of share capital in the flotation of the regional electricity distribution companies that could be reserved for customers.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe Government's stockbroking advisers, James Capel, discussed the degree of customer preference with the interntional stock exchange before the prospectus was published.
§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has investigated the first two days' trading of shares in South Wales Electricity; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WakehamNo.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any proposal to debar Kleinwort Benson from acting on behalf of companies intending to acquire post-flotation stakes in the newly privatised electricity distribution companies, while it is still acting as his adviser on privatising the electricity industry.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryI am satisfied with the provisions governing conflict of interest in Kleinwort Benson Limited's contract as my adviser on electricity privatisation.
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§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether any of the firms advising him or his Department were allowed to participate in the buying or selling of the regional electricity company shares or advise or act as brokers to any third parties who did so participate.
§ Mr. WakehamIn so far as the relevant firms are engaged in such business their activities are governed by provisions in their contracts concerning conflict of interest.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had with Kleinwort Benson about potential conflict of interest in its advice to him on the privatisation of the electricity distribution companies and the advice it gave to other major investors on the acquisition of a stake in South Wales Electricity subsequent to its flotation on 11 December.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryI would refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him today in connection with Kleinwort Benson Limited's role as my adviser on electricity privatisation. I have no reason to believe that Kleinwort Benson Limited has acted otherwise than in accordance with the terms of its contract with regard to conflict of interest.