HC Deb 30 January 1980 vol 977 cc1343-4
29. Mr. Costain

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will be in a position to announce a decision following the public inquiry in respect of the siting of the Central Electricity Generating Board proposed converter station adjoining the village of Sellindge.

Mr. Fox

As the inspectors' report of the inquiry is not yet available, it is too early to say. However, I can assure my hon. Friend that the case will be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Mr. Costain

In spite of that assurance is my hon. Friend aware that there is a feeling within the village of Sellindge that the Secretary of State has already made up his mind? Is my hon. Friend aware that a secret report came out during the course of the inquiries? Will he make representations and make certain that the inspectors and the public are given access to correspondence between the Secretary of State for Energy and the Minister of Transport and the CEGB in July and August?

Mr. Fox

My hon. Friend and I have been in correspondence. The document that has been mentioned was inaccurate, but I understand that it has been corrected. Approval for an electricity link with France was given in principle in August 1978. However, no Government decision has been taken about any site in Britain for the proposed converter station. I am happy to confirm my previous words with him in writing.