§ 17. Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any plans to dispose of the Government's single special share in NIREX; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoodladNo, Sir.
§ Mr. AltonI am grateful to the Minister for that helpful reply. Perhaps he would now be kind enough to tell the 440 House how the share is viewed by his Department and who represents the Department's views to NIREX. Does he agree that it would be better if the Government's interest was looked after by the Department of the Environment, which, after all, has an interest in maintaining and safeguarding the environment? Is not the watchdog too closely identified with the burglar at the moment?
§ Mr. GoodladWhether the special share should be held by the Secretary of State for the Environment or by the Secretary of State for Energy was considered carefully before United Kingdom NIREX was set up. The Secretary of State for Energy answers for the nuclear industry and NIREX in Parliament, so it was considered that he should hold the share. That remains the Government's view.