HC Deb 16 May 1991 vol 191 cc257-9W
Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration of public policy underlay his decision not to offer the people in Northern Ireland and elsewhere the opportunity to apply for share ownership in the privatised electricity generating industry in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Needham

The Government, having considered with their advisers all possible methods of sale, decided that sale of the power stations by private treaty was more appropriate than a public flotation.

The main reason for this is the size of the individual generation businesses which makes them unsuitable for sale by flotation.

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will suspend the privatisation of Northern Ireland Electricity until the European Community directive to reduce emissions from power stations to meet EC regulations is met.

Mr. Needham

No. Legislation which will give effect to the large combustion plant directive in Northern Ireland is already in preparation and will be operative before the completion of arrangements for the privatisation of NIE. Accordingly, I see no reason why progress on the privatisation should be delayed on that account.

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy, in the light of the impending privatisation of Northern Ireland Electricity, to answer questions on the day-to-day running of that company during the two years immediately prior to flotation and sale.

Mr. Needham

The existing arrangements for answering hon. Members' questions on aspects of Northern Ireland Electricity's operations will remain unchanged while that organisation is in the public sector.

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when refurbishment of Northern Ireland Electricity headquarters in Belfast is expected to be completed.

Mr. Needham

NIE advises that the work is expected to be completed by the end of May 1991.

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the projected budget for advertising and marketing the privatisation of Northern Ireland Electricity.

Mr. Needham

The details of the marketing and advertising campaign have not yet been drawn up and therefore there is no budget.

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations were received from the trade unions in Northern Ireland Electricity regarding the proposals to privatise Northern Ireland Electricity.

Mr. Needham

Since the publication of the Government's proposals, representations have been received from the trade unions in which they have sought assurances about the future rights of members of the NIE pension scheme and asked that the unions be consulted on this and other matters affecting their members' interests. Representations have also been received to the effect that work on the privatisation should be suspended pending the outcome of the current political talks.

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether ministerial approval was sought by Northern Ireland Electricity for expenditure on refurbishment of its headquarters.

Mr. Needham

Northern Ireland Electricity is required to seek approval for major capital items and approval for expenditure on the refurbishment of NIE headquarters was sought and given.

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether copies of all consultants' reports commissioned by Northern Ireland Electricity have been made available to the Department of Economic Development (NI); and if he will place in the Library a copy of each report commissioned related to NIE In the last two years.

Mr. Needham

NIE has made available to the Department of Economic Development copies of those reports commissioned by NIE which are considered to be significant. These are commercially confidential and a decision to publish would lie with NIE.