§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the reasons that no advertising for the Scottish electricity privatisation has been placed in the Northern Ireland press or television; on what basis the level of advertising there was fixed; and what efforts have been made to contact investors in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe marketing activity for the flotation of the two Scottish electricity companies was planned to ensure that the target audiences were reached in a cost-effective manner. The decision not to advertise specifically in Northern Ireland was taken after consultation with our marketing and advertising advisers.
Everyone from Northern Ireland who applied for shares in the sale of the regional electricity companies in England and Wales has been sent information about the 373W Scottish flotations. Information packs have also been provided at branches of the Ulster bank, where prospectuses and application forms will be available early in June.