HC Deb 29 April 1974 vol 872 cc744-7
2. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the future choice of nuclear reactors.

The Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. Eric G. Varley)

Not yet. I wish to hear the views of the House in the debate on nuclear reactors which is to take place later this week before coming to any conclusions.

Mr. Hamilton

Does my right hon. Friend's answer mean that he has not yet come to a firm decision? He will be aware that there have been reports in the Press that a decision has been taken. If that is so, would it not be desirable to make a statement to the House before Thursday's debate so that the House may take that statement into consideration?

Mr. Varley

I do not think I can make a statement before the debate on nuclear reactors. I can reassure my hon. Friend that no decision has been taken by the Government on the choice of reactors.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

I hope very much that the right hon. Gentleman will not accept the advice of his hon. Friend the Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton). It seems that he should retain a completely open mind until he has heard the views of the House. Has he made any investigation into what was obviously an inspired leak in the Financial Times report last Thursday to the effect that a choice had been made?

Mr. Varley

I saw that report. I am not responsible for what appears in the newspapers. All I can say is that there is no validity in the report.

Mr. Palmer

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there was a similar leak in the Morning Star to the opposite effect?

Mr. Varley

That just shows how difficult these matters become.

Mr. Neave

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is anxiety that if American reactors are manufactured under licence in the United Kingdom there will be some danger to the fast reactor programme? Will he pay attention to that matter in making his choice? Further, is he aware of reports that there is hostility on the part of the CEGB towards British fast reactors?

Mr. Varley

All these matters will be considered during Thursday's debate.

24. Sir J. Eden

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what part the steam generating heavy water reactor (SGHWR) is to play in meeting energy requirements.

Mr. Eadie

SGHWR is one of the thermal reactor systems under consideration for our next nuclear orders.

Sir J. Eden

Can the hon. Gentleman confirm that it would not be the Government's intention to opt for one system only and that they would wish to take full advantage of British expertise and technology in making their decision?

Mr. Eadie

My right hon. Friend, in answer to a previous Question, gave the House an assurance that no decision had been taken. As the right hon. Gentleman is aware, the House will debate this matter on Thursday. I think he will agree that the House is entitled to the expression of a view on the future generation of nuclear power. My right hon. Friend has made no decision on this matter.

Dr. M. S. Miller

Will my hon. Friend go a little further? Does he accept that, since we have coal reserves which will last for about 300 years, he should not be rushed into the development of any kind of nuclear reactor and that there are facilities in this country for producing power which do not involve the risks which nuclear energy involves? Therefore, will my hon. Friend proceed very warily on the question of the production of any sort of nuclear reactor?

Mr. Eadie

The main criticism about nuclear power has been made in relation to foreign types of nuclear reactor and not in relation to nuclear power generated by means indigenous to this country. If my hon. Friend has a view to express on the question of nuclear power, perhaps he will be able to catch your eye, Mr. Speaker, during Thursday's debate and express it.

Mr. Ancram

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that applications for siting nuclear power stations are pending? Is he prepared to give an assurance that no decision on those applications will be taken until a decision has been made on the sort of reactor which the Government will accept?

Mr. Eadie

All decisions about the siting of nuclear power stations are given careful consideration by the Government. There are various checks for the public concerning not only their siting but even their type. Whatever type my right hon. Friend decides on will require approval by the Nuclear Inspectorate, which is an independent organisation for deciding such matters.

Mr. Palmer

Does my hon. Friend agree that the country needs a proper balanced development of all sources of primary energy, including nuclear power, whichever system is adopted?

Mr. Eadie

My hon. Friend is perfectly right. The Government are very conscious, as I hope the Opposition are; that there is a great need to develop our indigenous power and fuel resources. It is nothing to laugh about. It is important that we should develop our own indigenous fuels. I could not agree more with my hon. Friend that we must develop our indigenous sources of energy irrespective of the type of nuclear reactor we decide upon.

Mr. Neave

In answering the debate on Thursday, will the Government confirm that the SGHWR is a safe and proven reactor?

Mr. Eadie

As I said, the SGHWR is one of the types that are being considered. I understand from the Nuclear Inspectorate that it is a safe type of reactor, but that does not necessarily commit my right hon. Friend to deciding upon that reactor. When he says that there will be consultation with right hon. and hon. Members, he means that there will be consultation.

Mr. Evelyn King

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the distinguished contribution made by Dorset scientists in the production of the prototype of this reactor? Is he also aware of the growing discontent about the salaries paid to Government scientists at that station and elsewhere and about the recent recommendations, and that this discontent may seriously affect the working of the scientists if a remedy is not found?

Mr. Eadie

The Government attach a great deal of importance to all types of scientist, as I am sure the hon. Gentleman will agree.