HC Deb 12 July 1994 vol 246 cc588-9W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which organisations, agencies and other bodies relating to his departmental area of responsibility have been privatised since 1990; and what plans he has for further privatisation.

Sir John Wheeler

Northern Ireland Electricity's four generating stations were sold to private interests in 1992, and the remainder of the business—transmission, distribution and supply—was successfully floated in June 1993, thus completing privatisation of the electricity supply industry in Northern Ireland. The process of privatising Northern Ireland Airports Ltd. has begun, with a target date of mid-1994 for completion by means of a trade sale.

The Government remain committed to the privatisation of water and sewerage services at the earliest possible date but recognise that, for a number of technical reasons, this will not be possible in the lifetime of the present Parliament. Legislation is being promoted to enable ports in Northern Ireland to be privatised, while the Department of the Environment is considering the extent to which the non-core activities of Northern Ireland Railways and Ulsterbus/Citybus may be sold.