§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will make it his policy to prepare a national emergency plan to provide a rapid response capability within the electricity supply industry subsequent to vesting day to restore power rapidly to storm-affected areas;
(2) what arrangements he proposes to make to enable electricity distribution linesmen to be transferred on a good will basis to areas 'with badly disrupted power supplies subsequent to vesting day in the electricity supply industry;
263W(3) what consultations he has had on the best means of achieving a rapid restoration of power to storm-affected areas subsequent to vesting day in the electricity supply industry;
(4) what is his most up-to-date evaluation of the speed of response of the electricity supply industry to the storms of (a) Thursday 25 January and (b) October 1987;
(5) what powers he will have to ensure that emergency repair staff of the electricity distribution boards can be switched to power cut-afflicted regions subsequent to vesting day in the electricity supply industry; and if he will make a statement;
(6) whether he will carry out a full analysis of the costs and benefits of instituting a rapid response team of electricity linesmen to restore power to power-cut areas subsequent to vesting day in the electricity supply industry.
§ Mr. BaldryAs in October 1987, the boards in the electricity industry that were badly affected by the recent storm set about restoring supplies rapidly and energetically. Other area boards, the Scottish electricity boards, Northern Ireland Electricity, the electricity supply board of the Republic of Ireland and outside contractors provided prompt and substantial assistance.
I am confident that, after vesting and after flotation, the new companies will continue to give priority to the restoration of supplies to customers and will continue to come to each other's help as occasions require.