Mr. Wiliam O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of state for Northern Ireland if he intends to introduce the sale of water services in Northern Ireland in the same manner as in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsNo decision has yet been taken on how the sale will take place. Options for the method of sale are currently being addressed as part of a consultancy study into a range of major privatisation issues.
Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he intends to publish the feasibility study currently being undertaken by private consultants into the privatisation of water in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement;
(2) when he expects to have the results of the feasibility study into the privatisation of water in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsIt is expected that the consultancy study will be completed by the end of March 1993. The study was commissioned on a confidential basis because of the commercial sensitives of the issues involved. I therefore have no plans to publish it.
Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the future employment of people working in the water services industry in Northern Ireland is included in the feasibility study at present being undertaken by consultants; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe future employment of staff does not fall within the terms of reference for the consultancy study.
Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for a period of public consultation following the acceptance of the report by private consultants into the privatisation of water in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsWater privatisation will require primary legislation and the proposal for a draft Order in Council will be published for consultation in the normal way.