§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will invite the Director General of Offer (Northern Ireland) to carry out a cost-benefit analysis on the next tranche of electricity generation which will take into account the social, economic and environmental effects on Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. AncramNo. Following the privatisation of the electricity supply industry in Northern Ireland responsibility for future generation planning rests with Northern Ireland Electricity plc. Under the terms of its licence NIE is obliged to purchase its power requirements at the most economic price obtainable having regard to the sources available. This enables NIE to consider other aspects such as fuel diversity and security of supply. In doing so, NIE will have to satisfy the independent Director General of Electricity Supply for Northern Ireland.