Mr. O'NeillTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when his Department was first informed of the application by Rich and Co. for a licence to supply electricity; what steps were taken to interview its chairman; when his Department was first informed of Offer's decision to grant a licence to Rich and Co.; if he will give details of the involvement of his Department in the decision to grant the licence; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Eggar[holding answer 25 March 1993]: The authority to grant second tier supply licences was delegated by the Secretary of State to the Director General of Electricity Supply at the time of vesting in March 1990. The Department is neither consulted not informed of applications for, or the award of, second tier supply licences as the approval of the Department is not required in such cases.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list his statutory duties, and those of the Director General of Electricity Supply, under the Electricity Act 1989 in respect of the award of licences.
§ Mr. Eggar[holding answer 25 March 1993]: The statutory duties of the President and of the Director General of Electricity Supply are set out in section 3 of the Electricity Act 1989, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.