EXHIBIT 23.1
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration 
Statement of Houston Industries Incorporated ("New HII", formerly named Houston
Lighting & Power Company) on Form S-3 of our reports dated February 21, 1997,
appearing in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K of New HII and Old HII (formerly
named Houston Industries Incorporated) for the year ended December 31, 1996 and
to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is
part of this Registration Statement.




DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Houston, Texas

August 7, 1997