Written question asked by Kelvin Hopkins (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 March 2004. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 March 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the application of the statutory Environmental and Social guidelines of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority to Elexon Ltd. - (Holding answer 8 March 2004).

Answer: Mr. Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the application of the statutory Environmental and Social guidelines of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority to Elexon Ltd. [159093] Mr. Timms: [holding answer 8 March 2004]: The statutory Environmental and Social guidelines to the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority do not apply to Elexon. As the Balancing and Settlement Code Company (BSCCo), Elexon has the powers and functions and responsibilities set out and assigned to it in the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) and, in accordance with BSC Section C 1.2.2, may not conduct business or activities not provided for in the BSC. It should be noted, however, that the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (the Authority) has the role of determining whether a modification to the BSC should or should not be made. In making its decision, the Authority is obliged to take into consideration its wider statutory obligations. The Authority is also obliged to carry out a Regulatory Impact Assessment in relation to any important Modification Proposal.

Secondary information