Written question asked by Alasdair McDonnell (Social Democratic & Labour Party) on Monday, 23 May 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 May 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Monday, 20 June 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Phoenix Natural Gas

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Government (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to assess the effect on consumers of the proposed acquisition of Phoenix Natural Gas as part of East Surrey Holdings by Terra Firma Capital Partners Ltd.

Answer: The Department has a statutory role in relation to the Phoenix Natural Gas licence in the event of any change of ownership. Specialist consultants have been appointed to assist the Department in its assessment of the proposed Terra Firma transaction. The Department will consider all information relating to the transfer in accordance with its statutory obligation to promote the development of an efficient, economic and co-ordinated gas industry in Northern Ireland.

Secondary information