§ 16. Mr. StottTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effect of completion of the Scottish interconnector to Northern Ireland on competition in electrical supply.
§ Mr. AtkinsResponsibility for developing competition in the supply of electricity rests with the Director of Electricity Supply for Northern Ireland. In drawing up his proposals he will take account of the interconnector to Scotland which will offer access to a wide range of generation sources and to alternatively priced electricity.
§ 25. Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to announce the arrangements for the allocation of a further tranche of electricity generation.
§ Mr. AtkinsResponsibility for ordering new generating capacity rests with NIE plc. NIE is currently having discussions with the Director General of Electricity Supply for Northern Ireland and hopes to announce the start of the competition for new plant next year.