Mr. O'NeillTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the criteria presently employed by his Department in considering whether or not to grant section 36 consents to new power stations.
§ Mr. Eggar[holding answer 22 February 1993]: It has been my right hon. Friend's policy in considering applications for his consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, as a general rule, to treat matters such as the need for a generating station, its capacity, choice of fuel to be used and type of plant as commercial matters for the applicant concerned.
My right hon. Friend announced to the House on 26 October 1992 that he was reviewing the use of his consent powers under section 36. The outcome of this review will be included in the White Paper, which is to be published shortly.