§ 2. Mr. Sheldonasked the Minister of Power if, in view of the experienced gained in the running of nuclear power stations, he will reassess their working life.
§ The Minister of Power (Mr. Frederick Lee)The first commercial nuclear power stations in Britain came into operation as recently as 1962, and it is too soon to carry out a re-assessment just yet.
§ Mr. SheldonAs capital charges amount to up to two-thirds of the cost of nuclear electricity produced, will my right hon. Friend—bearing in mind that the 20 years suggested as the life of these power stations is now proving to be very much out of date, and this being such an important element in the cost of nuclear electricity that it is vital that figures should be brought up to date—instigate action as necessary to ensure this?
§ Mr. LeeI agree that the C.E.G.B. assesses the life at 20 years. I know that 983 in some parts of the world—in the United States, for instance—they are looking at a 30-year cycle, but I should like more experience of this.