§ Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the power-generating companies are required to comply with European Directive 93/38/EEC on Procurement Procedures when the 69WA existing contracts for movement of coal by rail, inherited from British Rail, come up for renewal.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Simon of Highbury)Under the UK regulations which implement this directive (The Utilities Contracts Regulations 1996, SI 1996 No. 2911), it is for utility operators themselves to determine whether they must comply in respect of particular contracts. Having made enquiries of the power generating companies, 1 am advised that contracts for the movement of coal by rail are subject to these regulations.