HM Treasury News Release
43/97                                          13 May 1997  
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                        WINDFALL LEVY
            HANDLING OF REPRESENTATIONS FROM UTILITIES

     Geoffrey Robinson MP, Paymaster General at the Treasury,
said today that, in designing the windfall levy, he would be
willing to take into account any representations from companies
on its technical operation.

Representations should be submitted by the end of May 1997. 

Notes to Editors

1.   The Government is committed to introduce a one-off windfall
levy on the excess profits of the utilities.

2.   Details of the levy will be announced in the Chancellor of
the Exchequer's first Budget.

3.   Companies wishing to make a representation should write to
Mike Williams, Deputy Director, Industry, Room 82/G, HM Treasury,
Parliament Street, London, SW1P 3AG (0171 270 4449).  

4.   If you have access to the Internet, you can find this
information at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk.  Material on other
Treasury issues can also be found at this address.