To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the total cost of electricity privatisation and the cost of all promotional and of all advisory activity concerned with this privatisation (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) overseas.

It is too early to make any meaningful estimate of the likely gross costs of privatising the electricity supply industry but the costs will be small in comparison to the proceeds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps have been taken to assess how ex gratia payments in settlement of breach of copyright claims may be avoided in future, in the light of the payment made to Universal Studios relating to the electricity privatisation advertising campaign.

The responsibility for copyright issues lies with the advertising agency. Her Majesty's Government agreed to pay £6,000 as a licence fee in respect of the use of the characters in the flotation advertising campaign, as is normal in such circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what advice he obtained from copyright lawyers concerning the payment to Universal Studios for unauthorised use of the copyright design of Herman Munster in the electricity privatisation commercials;(2) how many outside bodies or companies he consulted before the decision was made to settle out of court the breach of copyright claim by Universal Studios regarding Frank N. Stein and Herman Munster.

Any responsibility for this matter lay with the advertising agency. Her Majesty's Government consulted with their advisers to clarify their position on this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when the first approach was made by Universal Studios regarding the alleged breach of contract arising from the similarity between the character Frank N. Stein in the electricity privatisation advertising campaign and the character Herman Munster of "The Munsters"; and on what date he made his decision to settle the claim out of court.

This is a matter between the advertising agency WCRS, and MCA Merchandising Corporation of America, acting on behalf of Universal City Studios Inc.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the cost of (a) the settlement of the alleged breach of copyright claim by Universal Studios over the Frank N. Stein figure used in the electricity privatisation commercials and (b) the legal and other advice used in responding to Universal Studios' claim.

(a) is a matter between the advertising agency and MCA Merchandising Corporation of America, on behalf of Universal City Studios Inc. With regard to (b), responsibility on this matter lies with the advertising agency. Her Majesty's Government consulted with their marketing and legal advisers to clarify their position on this matter. The cost of this advice is commercially confidential, but was a minimal amount.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a deduction from the fees agreed to be paid to the WCRS advertising agency equivalent to the cost of the out-of-court settlement with Universal Studios for alleged breach of copyright.

Her Majesty's Government have made no payment in respect of any alleged breach of copyright by WCRS.