HC Deb 17 May 1990 vol 172 c493W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what assessment he has made of the probable rise in electricity prices for large electricity-intensive industries, when the transitional price-cap expires;

(2) what assessment he has made of the effect on the electric arc steel-making industry of the ending of the qualifying industrial users schemes;

(3) what assessment he has made on the effects on heavy industry of the ending of the qualifying industrial users schemes;

(4) what representations he has received about the ending of the qualifying industrial users schemes for intensive industrial electricity consumers.

Mr. Baldry

Future prices to large users are a matter for negotiation between customer and supplier. It would be premature to try to predict the outcome of those negotiations. Privatisation is benefiting such customers by enabling them to seek competing bids for supply. Many have already succeeded in negotiating price reductions. Disputes between regional electricity companies and customers may also be referred to the Director General of Electricity Supply.