Nuclear Power Programme (Hansard, 27 June 1960)

§ 25. Mr. Driberg
asked the Minister of Power if he will give the latest estimate of the extent to which the development of nuclear power will result in cheaper electricity for industrial and domestic consumers; and to what extent the original estimate of the contribution by the nuclear power industry to the export trade has been fulfilled.

§ The Minister of Power (Mr. Richard Wood)
As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the White Paper which I presented to Parliament on 20th June. The demand for nuclear power overseas has been less than was expected. British companies have obtained export orders for two nuclear power stations and hope to have the opportunity of tendering for others now in prospect.

§ Mr. Driberg
Did the right hon. Gentleman see the leader in The Times last Tuesday with its rather severe comments on the "astonishing" recency of the errors which are now admitted in this field? Can he say whether the statement about cheaper power made in the White Paper is still based on the so-called gilt-edge basis? Can he also say whether his Department and the Board are still advised by the experts who made all these mistakes?

§ Mr. Wood
I am advised by the best experts available, and I am bound to take the advice of the experts because it is rather higher than my own knowledge of the subject. This is the best estimate available at present, and I do not think I could possibly improve upon it.

§ Mr. Driberg
Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question about the gilt-edge basis—

§ Mr. Speaker
Mr. Nabarro.

§ Mr. Nabarro
Would not my right hon. Friend agree that these were not in fact errors at all, but that the margins have arisen from the fact that no scientist ten years ago could possibly estimate the amount of credit which would be forthcoming for the military product or the defence product—call it what you will—such as plutonium, and that the value 953 of that in the event has proved to be a great deal less than was originally anticipated?

§ Mr. Wood
It was certainly estimated that the break-even date would be rather nearer 1960 than now appears likely. That was one of the reasons I explained last week why it seems wise to make this revision of the programme.

§ Mr. Driberg
In any case, it is not a matter of ten years ago. Is it not the case that the programme was announced in 1955 and trebled in 1957, while the "deferment of the acceleration" came only last week?

§ Mr. Nabarro
The origin was in 1950.

§ Mr. Wood
I assume that the hon. Member for Barking (Mr. Driberg) was answering my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) and not asking me a question.

§ Mr. Driberg
Yes.

§ Mr. Speaker
This procedure is very confusing for Mr. Speaker.

§ 26. Mr. Driberg
asked the Minister of Power how many nuclear power stations are now complete, under construction, or definitely scheduled for construction; what is the actual, or estimated, cost of each; for approximately how many years it is estimated that these stations can be used and what is the present intention regarding their future when they can no longer be used.

§ Mr. Wood
Apart from the Atomic Energy Authority stations at Calder Hall and Chapelcross, which produce electricity as a by-product, no nuclear power station has yet been completed in this country. Five are under construction for the electricity authorities and two more have been approved. It is still too early to say what individual stations will cost, as the electricity authorities are still negotiating variable items with the contractors. For calculating depreciation, the life of these stations has been taken as twenty years, though it may be longer. When the stations reach the end of their useful lives they will be dismantled, except the reactors which will be sealed up, and new stations may be built on the same sites.

§ 28. Mr. Mason
asked the Minister of Power, in view of the fact that nuclear 954 power generation for base load purposes is likely to become cheaper than conventional generation by 1970, why the Government have decided to curtail this industrial development.

§ Mr. Wood
The decision announced on 20th June relates only to the rate of ordering during the next few years. Nuclear stations to come into operation in 1970 need not be ordered until about 1965. The decision on what rate of ordering will then be desirable can be taken nearer the time.

§ Mr. Mason
Is not the Minister aware that his recent statement in the White Paper on nuclear power was a shocking indictment of Government planning and that the Government have led the atomic energy industry up the garden path? First of all, they encouraged a rapid build-up of the nuclear power industry; secondly, they disagreed with joining Euratom, virtually throwing the industry out of the export market and they have since twice cut back the development of this industry. Is it not a fact that the Government are purposely stultifying and discouraging the development of the nuclear power industry?

§ Mr. Wood
I cannot for a moment accept that the long-term prospects of this industry would be improved if I suggested that it should build a great many uneconomic stations in the next few years.

§ 33. Mr. Loveys
asked the Minister of Power, in view of the statement in Command Paper No. 1083, that orders for nuclear power stations are to be placed at the rate of roughly one every year, which sites have been selected for the next ten years.

§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Power (Mr. J. C. George)
No decision has been taken about the sites of the stations to follow the seven already approved.

§ Mr. Loveys
Will the Minister give an assurance that, as the building of nuclear power stations is being slowed down and as it is stated in the White Paper that the capacity of individual power stations is increasing, there is a diminishing need for the making of trial borings for the purpose of nuclear power stations on good agricultural land and on land of great natural beauty, such as are taking place at present?

§ Mr. George
The needs of the country for electricity will determine the number of power stations to be built. Great care is being taken by the Central Electricity Generating Board to make as little disturbance to natural beauty of the country as is possible.

§ 37. Mr. W. Hamilton
asked the Minister of Power to what extent the National Coal Board's plans for the next few years will need to be modified consequent on the slowing down of the nuclear power programme.

§ Mr. Wood
The slow-down does not materially affect the prospect up to 1965 as seen in the Revised Plan for Coal published last October. The effect on subsequent years will be taken into account when the National Coal Board and the electricity industry discuss the latter's coal requirements.

§ Mr. Hamilton
In view of the slowing down of the nuclear power programme, will there by an expediting of the programme for the building of conventional power stations? If the speeding up of that programme involves an additional demand for coal, will not that have an effect on the coal industry after next year?

§ Mr. Wood
It will certainly have an effect, but the conventional power stations which will be built to replace the nuclear generating capacity which will now not be built will come into operation after 1965 and, therefore, will not substantially affect the estimates in the Revised Plan for Coal.