§ 7. Mr. John Evansasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the rate of progress of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate's evaluation of the pressure water reactor.
§ Mr. EvansWill the Minister concede that, even if the inspectorate gives the PWR a clean bill of health, that will not allay the widespread public concern about the PWR? Does he accept that the decision to build a PWR will be a political one and that political decisions should be settled by debates and votes in this House?
§ Mr. LamontI am sure that the hon. Gentleman does not wish to cast aspersions on the integrity and expertise of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate. It would not be a political decision. We have always said that a decision to build a PWR would be subject to the full safety clearance, that there would be an inquiry, and that that clearance would have to be given by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWill my hon. Friend confirm in the clearest possible 910 terms that, to allay public concern about this matter, the Government have made it clear all along that after the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate has considered the matter there will be a full and extensive public inquiry?
§ Mr. LamontThat is what I have just said to the hon. Member for Newton (Mr. Evans).
§ Mr. HooleyIn the light of the serious understaffing of the NII, is the Minister satisfied that it can carry out all its existing very extensive duties and make the complex evaluations necessary of the PWR?
§ Mr. LamontYes, I am so satisfied. The shortfall in the NII complement is being looked at urgently. There is a pay increase which has taken effect from 1 January and is part of the normal review of pay. There will be another review on 1 April. We take the staffing problems extremely seriously. But we are confident that the work on the PWR can go ahead.