To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about electricity privatisation.

Good progress continues to be made. The Government are on target for the flotation of the 12 regional electricity companies in early December and more than 6 million people have registered with the electricity share information office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what risks are the electricity privatisation underwriters being given to carry and what risks have the Government agreed to accept.

The underwriters of the sale of the 12 regional electricity companies will be expected to carry the same risks as underwriters have carried in recent privatisations except that in the event of an outbreak of hostilities in the middle east there will be arrangements under which the offer can be terminated.