asked the Secretary of State for Energy when the proposed 2,000MW cable link between England and France is likely to come into use; and what is the estimated capital cost to each country.

I am advised by the CEGB that the first stage of the 2,000MW electricity link between England and France is scheduled to come into operation in 1985. Each country is responsible for providing and laying two of the four pairs of cables which will comprise the completed link, and for constructing its own converter station and overland connections. The cost of CEGB's share of the work is estimated to be £285 million at March 1982 prices.