To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had with the director general of the Office of Electricity Regulation concerning the impact on the promotion of competition in electricity generation in England and Wales of National Power's purchase of the Deeside power station project at Shotton, Clwyd from ASEA Brown Boveri; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend and I meet the Director General of Electricity Supply from time to time and discuss issues of mutual interest. The implications of mergers in the electricity generating industry are a matter for the Office of Fair Trading in consultation with OFFER.