To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what provisions he will make to cancel the flotation of the electricity distribution companies and refund investors' cheques if war breaks out in the Gulf after first dealings day on 11 December.

It would not be feasible to cancel the flotation after 11 December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his answer of 12 November, Official Report, column 74, covering the period leading up to first dealings day, if he will make arrangements with the Governor of the Bank of England to refund money to small investors investing in the flotation of the electricity distribution companies, in the event of war breaking out in the Gulf after first dealings day on 11 December.

We have no plans to do so.