§ Mr. StottTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he is making in establishing the electricity interconnector between Scotland and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThis is a matter for Northern Ireland Electricity plc. I understand from the chairman of NI E plc that satisfactory progress is being made in planning the project.
§ Mr. StottTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what study his Department has made of the disparity in the price of electricity between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom; what plans he has to bring prices in Northern Ireland into line with electricity prices in the rest of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsDomestic, agricultural and small business electricity prices are lower than some parts of the United Kingdom, although there is a disparity for consumers with a peak demand in excess of 1MW. Since the price of electricity for industrial consumers in Great Britain is governed by commercially confidential contracts it is not possible to undertake such a study.
§ Mr. StottTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to re-establish an electricity interconnector between the south and the north of Ireland; what study his Department has made of the effect of such an interconnector on electricity prices in the north; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe question of restoration of the interconnector with the Republic of Ireland is kept under regular review.
Re-establishment of the interconnector with the Republic of Ireland would have a beneficial effect on energy prices in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.