To ask the President of the Board of Trade what considerations underlay his decision to issue the Electricity (Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976) (Exemption) Order 1993; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 4 May 1993]: The Electricity (Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976) (Exemption) Order 1993 removes from the scope of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 certain contracts between coal producers, the electricity generators and the regional electricity companies made before 1 April 1993. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade made the exemption order taking account of the importance the Government attached to securing the future of the British coal industry.