HC Deb 09 May 1990 vol 172 cc166-8W
Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy on what basis James Capel advised journalists that the electricity supply industry would be sold at a value of £10 billion; and what consultations it had with him prior to these briefings.

Mr. Wakeham

James Capel did not advise journalists of the value at which the electricity industry would be sold. It is too early to estimate the likely proceeds from the sale of the companies.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) who advised him on the post-privatisation salary of the chair of the NEEB;

(2) who advised him on the post-privatisation salary of the chair of NORWEB.

Mr. Wakeham

The Government have decided that board members of the new electricity companies will not receive major increases in salaries before flotation.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he intends to retain in Government hands after flotation any of the shares in the electricity distribution and generating companies.

Mr. Wakeham

The Government will not decide for some time on the proportion of the shares to be sold in the electricity companies in England and Wales.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what advice he received from Coopers and Lybrand on post-privatisation salaries of electricity industry chairmen and board members.

Mr. Wakeham

Board members of the new electricity companies have not and will not receive major increases in salaries before flotation.

The Government will not be responsible for salaries after flotation.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what undertakings were given about post-privatisation salaries to any persons appointed by him as chairs or board members of any electricity company on their appointment or reappointment over the last year.

Mr. Wakeham

None.

Station Capacity Type Consent given
Ashford 150 MW GT 5 September 1975
Bull's Bridge 280 MW GT 12 October 1972
Carmarthen Bay 300 KW WT 23 July 1981
350 KW WT 20 June 1985
330 KW WT 23 July 1987
500 KW WT 20 February 1989
330 KW WT 20 February 1989
Cwm Dyli 10 MW HE 22 September 1987
Hams Hall 27 MW GT 8 December 1977
Ince B 1,000 MW Oil 22 November 1971
Inswork Point 1,300 MW Oil 23 August 1973
Killingholme 4,000 MW Oil 16 June 1972
Killingholme A 1,000 MW CCGT 18 April 1990
Killingholme PowerGen 750–1,000 MW CCGT 31 January 1990
Leicester 120 MW GT 2 May 1972
Letchworth 150 MW GT 21 July 1971
Littlebrook D 2,000 MW Oil 19 July 1972
Nechells 300 MW GT 29 June 1973
Newton Abbot 300 MW GT 28 March 1974
Ocker Hill 300 MW GT 11 October 1971

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy for what reasons Treasury guarantees totalling £50 million were given to NORWEB.

Mr. Wakeham

To enable it to finance its operations in the most cost-effective manner possible.