HC Deb 25 June 2001 vol 370 c30W
Mr. Gibb

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions her Department has had at EU level concerning liberalisation of energy markets; and if dates for completion of the single market in this area have been set. [755]

Mr. Wilson

In March 2001, the Commission proposed a new Directive to amend the existing rules on electricity and gas liberalisation. The Commission also proposed a Regulation on cross-border electricity trading. The new Directive includes the date of 2005 for full liberalisation of the EU electricity and gas markets. These proposals were discussed at the Stockholm European Summit. Discussions of the proposals are continuing in the Council Energy Working Group. UK officials are also actively engaged in a number of bilateral discussions with other member states and representatives from the Commission.