§ Mr. MorganTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to review the policy instruments by which regional assistance to industry is delivered; if he will co-ordinate such a review with the assisted areas map review he announced on 9 June; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyRegional policy instruments are kept under continuing review.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultation he has had with the Director General of 721W Electricity Supply regarding alterations of (a) the regulatory price mechanisms for the regional electricity companies for England and Wales and (b) the 1998 limit for the loss of franchise over domestic and small customers by the regional electricity companies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarI meet the Director General of Electricity Supply from time to time and discuss matters of mutual interest.
The price control conditions in the public electricity supply licences are subject to modification as provided for in the Electricity Act 1989 and those licences. The franchise restrictions, and their expiry in 1998, remain as provided for in second-tier supply licences.