§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what regulations he plans to make under section 6(3) of the Electricity Act 1989 on how applications for licences to generate, transmit or supply electricity are to be made.
§ Mr. WakehamDraft regulations and application forms have now been prepared. My Department and the Scottish Office are seeking the views of the electricity industry, including independent generators and suppliers, on these drafts. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I intend that the regulations will be laid before Parliament as soon as possible, to give those concerned ample time to submit applications before the licensing regime provided for in section 6 of the Act comes into effect at the end of March 1990. At the same time, an order will be laid under section 5(1) of the Act as to the classes of person who will be exempt from the licensing requirement, taking into account the consultation which my Department has recently undertaken.