HC Deb 20 March 1978 vol 946 cc962-3
15. Mr. Macfarlane

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he next plans to meet the European Economic Community Energy Commissioner.

Mr. Benn

I expect to meet Dr. Brunner at the next meeting of the Council of Energy Ministers, which is provisionally scheduled for 30th May, and possibly beforehand.

Mr. Macfarlane

At that meeting, will the Secretary of State take urgent steps to discuss the recent two rounds of the nuclear hearings in Brussels? Once again, the British nuclear industry and the EEC nuclear industry seem to have taken yet another buffeting at the hands of those who are anti-nuclear power. What kind of dialogue can he initiate to ensure that the British nuclear industry gets a well deserved boost, particularly at any future hearings that the EEC Commissioner may decide to hold?

Mr. Benn

Since the United Kingdom was the first country to adopt a civil nuclear programme, and since we now generate 13 per cent. of our electricity by nuclear power—which will rise to 20 per cent. when the existing advanced gas-cooled reactor stations are completed, and to 25 per cent. beyond that—and since we are the third country in the world in installed capacity and electricity generated by nuclear power, I am not very concerned at criticism made elsewhere.

As for the Community, it is understood—and I have made it clear—that nuclear decisions must be taken by Ministers responsible to Parliament. Whatever discussions there may be—and I welcome them—in the Community or elsewhere, decisions about nuclear policy must be made in such a way as to be accountable to the House of Commons.

Mr. Woodall

When my right hon. Friend next meets the Commissioner and other Energy Ministers of the European Community, will he impress on them that this country can produce power, and particularly coal, cheaper than any other member of the Community? Will he try to ensure that the other member States stop importing coal from elsewhere and start to buy British coal?

Mr. Benn

I have made that point most robustly, and so has my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State, at Council meetings. I have also proposed that Council meetings should be held in public so that people may know what is said by Ministers. Were the transcripts to be made available, the argument that my hon. Friend and I have put forward would be quite clearly seen to be on the record. I attach the greatest possible importance to the point.