§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to announce the details of the proposed capital structure of National Power and PowerGen; what factors he will take into account; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryI shall announce the proposed capital structures at flotation of National Power and PowerGen as soon as possible. All relevant factors will be taken into account.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will call for a report from the Director General of Electricity Supply on the operation of the upper limits on direct sales by National Power and PowerGen to electricity consumers above 1MW.
§ Mr. BaldryMy officials are in regular contact with the Director General of Electricity Supply's office on all aspects of the regulatory regime.
§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to the answer of 2 July to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras,Official Report, column 430, (1) what types of competitive process were used to choose those companies chosen competitively; and what was the smallest number of competitors for any one appointment;
701W(2) how many valuers were chosen on the basis of an already established association with the company concerned.
§ Mr. WakehamSix of the firms of valuers were appointed on the basis of established relationships with the body concerned. The other nine were chosen following a competitive tender process with the number of competitors ranging from six to two depending on the availability of firms with sufficient resources and suitable local experience. The competitive process involved assessment on all the usual criteria, including price. My Department then carried out an exercise to cross-check prices across all the property advisers and negotiated discounts to fee rates where appropriate.