Nuclear Power Stations

HC Deb 17 January 1967 vol 739 cc7-10

5. Mr. Webster

asked the Minister of Power what steps he is taking to assist the gaining of contracts to build nuclear power stations abroad.

6. Mr. Gregory

asked the Minister of Power what recommendations he will make to the nuclear power engineering and allied industries for the reorganisation of the consortia system to ensure the advancement of the advanced gas-cooled and other British reactors, and towards a full realisation of design and cost factors for domestic electricity supply purposes.

Mr. Marsh

I encourage the Central Electricity Generating Board to follow investment policies which will foster an efficient nuclear power industry. Recommendations to the nuclear plant industries rest with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology.

Mr. Webster

Would it not help to award a contract now to the Central Electricity Generating Board? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that a contract for a reactor of the same design is being negotiated with the Belgians and that there is great sales resistance there?

Mr. Marsh

Consideration is being given to the C.E.G.B. I assure the hon. Gentleman that there is no question here of the suitability or performance of the design itself, but that this must be considered in terms of the economic factors applying to it. There is no reason to suppose that foreign buyers would take this into account when considering purchasing nuclear power stations.

Mr. Gregory

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the strong opinion in the industry that if we replicated on the basis of the A.G.R. design there would be a run-up of at least three new stations? Would he not agree that that would then lead the way to reduced costs in the production of domestic electricity and would make way for new opportunities for the export of nuclear power, thus creating a new exporting industry?

Mr. Marsh

I recognise my hon. Friend's interest, which is well known, in the question of replication. However, there are arguments on both sides. The C.E.G.B. is concerned with the production of power in this country and must have in mind the need to stay ahead with the most efficient and up-to-date stations. This must be put in the balance against replication, but I assure my hon. Friend that his views are taken into account.

Mr. Peyton

Further to the comments of my hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (Mr. Webster), does the Minister realise that most of us would not want to accuse the right hon. Gentleman of dragging his feet in this matter but suspect that the delay in ordering the Hinkley B is entirely the responsibility of the Treasury? Will he make urgent representations to that Department to get on with the job?

Hon. Members

Answer.

Mr. Dalyell

Would my right hon. Friend say which Ministry is responsible for following up the export experiences of Italy and Japan?

Mr. Marsh

I assure my hon. Friend that promoting exports is not a formal duty of the C.E.G.B. and that this is not my Department's responsibility. The task of looking into those matters rests with the Ministry of Technology and the Board of Trade.

Mr. Webster

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

19. Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Minister of Power how much construction of nuclear-powered electricity generation capacity he now plans to authorise in 1967; how many stations are involved; and where they will be located.

Mr. Marsh

I am still considering the Central Electricity Generating Board's proposed capital development programme in which it plans to start one new nuclear power station in 1967 to be sited at Hinkley Point. The Board has not yet made any firm proposals for subsequent nuclear power stations.

Mr. Osborn

When will a decision be reached in connection with Hinkley B and what type of A.G.R. power station is contemplated?

Mr. Marsh

The answer to the question is, very shortly.

21. Mr. Peyton

asked the Minister of Power what proportion of new generating stations will have nuclear power.

Mr. Marsh

As stated in the White Paper on Fuel Policy, about 8,000 MW of nuclear generating capacity is expected to be brought into commission in the six years 1970–75. I cannot say what proportion of new generating capacity that will represent as plant programmes beyond 1970 have not yet been settled.

Mr. Peyton

As we hope he has already hoisted in the message about Hinkley Point, does the Minister realise that there is an immense responsibility on the present Administration to maintain the worldwide lead which the Conservative Government left to this Administration in the use of nuclear power for generating purposes?

Mr. Marsh

I think Britain's present position in a worldwide lead in nuclear energy owes far more to the technicians involved than to any politicians on either side of the House. Decisions for 1971 and later can be made only on forecasts for electricity in those later years.

Mr. Lubbock

Will the Minister consider increasing the proportion of power to be generated by nuclear plant in the period 1970 to 1975 from the present level of about 25 per cent. of the total capacity to be provided for the whole of the base load?

Mr. Marsh

This is a question which has real implications for the whole of energy policy. Certainly there is a great increase in nuclear plant in this country and something which, because we have a lead, we would like to see extended.