§ 20. Mr. RostTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on progress towards his announced timetable for the privatisation of the electricity industry.
§ 42. Mr. DykesTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the progress of plans for the electricity privatisation share issue and related matters.
§ Mr. Wakeham[pursuant to his reply, 18 December 1989, c. 99–100]: After careful consideration I have decided that subject to market conditions at the time, the sale of National Power and PowerGen should take place on the same day in February 1991. The successful transfer to the private sector of these substantial companies will mark a further stage in the Government's programme of reinvigorating the economy by introducing the discipline of competition. Even while still formally divisions of the CEGB, these two organisations are giving every indication that they intend to compete vigorously in the electricity market which the Government are creating.