HC Deb 21 February 1977 vol 926 cc1011-3
4. Mr. Hastings

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what measures he intends to take to enable the United Kingdom nuclear power plant industry to compete abroad.

Mr. Benn

Overseas business is an important factor that must be taken into account in decisions on nuclear policy.

Mr. Hastings

Is not the best service that the Government could offer exporters the taking of a firm decision about the future nuclear reactor, a decision that surely should have been taken many years ago? Is it not far too late now to go over to the light water reactor if we are to have any success in export markets? If that is so, surely it is the Government's first duty to lay down a firm policy whatever decision is taken about the reactor, to stick to it and to leave it to the industry to get on with the job without the further risk of change within a substantial number of years.

Mr. Benn

I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's last point about a firm policy, but he is asking the Government to reopen the firm decision that was taken in 1974. I think he will recognise that Governments should be reluctant to change their view on something as fundamental and long-term as the thermal reactor system. It is true that the Atomic Energy Authority has invited me to look again at the SGHWR proposal. I have asked the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate to examine the three systems —namely, the SGHWR, the PWR and the advanced gas-cooled reactor. I have asked the industry to report, and I hope to be able to announce a decision some time this year.

Mr. Palmer

In considering these matters, has my right hon. Friend taken into account the latest recommendations of the Select Committee on Science and Technology?

Mr. Benn

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Tom King

Does the Secretary of State realise that his answer, or attempted answer, to my hon. Friend was no answer? My hon. Friend asked what measures the right hon. Gentleman was taking, and he replied to the effect that it is an important factor. That is not an answer to the question. It underlines the fact that the right hon. Gentleman has no measures to announce. Does he agree that the nuclear power industry is in an extremely demoralised state at present, and that unless some answers are produced fairly soon there will not be an industry for which answers will be relevant?

Mr. Benn

Candidly, I think that the hon. Gentleman is exaggerating the difficulties that arise in assessing—[Interruption.] I think that the hon. Gentleman is exaggerating. I have announced the measures that we are taking. We are asking the Inspectorate to report on the safety of the three systems. I am sure that the House would not expect me to adopt a system that had not been approved. If the hon. Gentleman wants a decision before safety factors are properly assessed—

Mr. Skeet

We want a decision. The right hon. Gentleman has all the facts.

Mr. Benn

I have not received from the Nuclear Inspectorate its assessment of the safety factors of the PWR, which, I gather, is the hon. Gentleman's choice. I make no apology for waiting until the safety factors have been reported to me before I reach a view.