I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 15 together.
Planning for the proposed gas interconnector pipeline is at an advanced stage. Subsea surveys have been recently carried out and the results are now being analysed in order to determine the best route or routes. The final choice of route will also depend on the choice of supplier. Decisions on these matters will be taken when we have reached agreement for a gas supply.
Preliminary engineering will commence early in 1991. Purchase of materials will commence in mid-1991 and construction should commence in 1993. The current target is for first deliveries of gas to be received in time for the winter of 1993-94. An interconnection working group, which reported to the then Minister for Energy in 1988, found that an electricity interconnector with the UK would be economically viable and deserved further consideration.
Our first priority is, however, the successful implementation of the gas interconnector. Not only will this meet our gas market requirements, it will, of course, ensure that increased electricity generation from imported gas can be provided. While the question of direct electricity interconnection will be kept under review, it does not now arise as an immediate priority. In any event, it would be difficult to make effective progress on the off-take of electricity from the UK grid until the new institutional arrangements for electricity in Britain are put into place.