HC Deb 11 February 1969 vol 777 cc1102-3
24. Mr. Palmer

asked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement about the progress of work at Dungeness B Nuclear Power Station.

36. Sir J. Eden

asked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement about the progress of the Dungeness B power station.

42. Mr. Gregory

asked the Minister of Power what progress has been made on the Dungeness B nuclear power station contract; and if he will make a statement.

45. Mr. Woof

asked the Minister of Power what effect he expects the need to redesign the boilers at the Dungeness B nuclear power station will have on the capital and operating costs of the Seaton Carew station.

Mr. Freeson

Work is in hand to remake the upper part of the metal liners of the pressure vessels which were distorted during welding. The first reactor may be delayed by at least 18 months and the second by a year. This was a defect in mechanical engineering, not in the technology of the A.G.R. It therefore carries no implications for later A.G.R. stations.

Mr. Palmer

Does my hon. Friend agree that some of the difficulties at Dungeness B have been aggravated by the slowness of the Government in undertaking the reorganisation of the nuclear power industry, and thus pinning down responsibility?

Mr. Freeson

Whatever hon. Members may feel about the history of that industry, questions on the subject should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology, and not to me.

Sir J. Eden

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether management matters have been resolved with the companies concerned? In view of the great potential for exports of nuclear systems and components, would he not agree that it is very urgent to press ahead with this as rapidly as possible?

Mr. Freeson

I certainly agree that it is important to smooth out this kind of problem as rapidly as possible, but, as I indicated in my main Answer, there are no indications of these problems in the technology of the A.G.R. stations.

Mr. Gregory

Is my hon. Friend aware that the continued delay in sorting this matter out at Dungeness is giving great concern to the firms and the workers employed in the two consortia in the project? What help can be given? What assurances can be given to the workers in this vital industry?

Mr. Freeson

As I indicated earlier, Questions about the position of people and resources inside the production industries are for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology and not for us.

Mr. Lubbock

Who is going to pay?

Mr. Freeson

The matter will in due course be sorted out between the Central Electricity Generating Board and the private companies concerned.