§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what provisions have been made to ensure that accumulated funds from pension schemes in Northern Ireland Electricity will not be lost to Northern Ireland Electricity employees;
(2) whether he will make it his policy to require a guarantee that, as a condition of sale, pension terms currently operative in Northern Ireland Electricity will be honoured subsequent to privatisation.
§ Mr. NeedhamIn line with provisions which were contained in the Electricity Act 1989, the proposed Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order will allow regulations to be made which will ensure that privatisation does not adversely affect the benefits payable to members and pensioners in the NIE pension scheme at the point of transfer.