Central Electricity Generating Board (Chairman)

HC Deb 31 January 1983 vol 36 c5

5. Mr. Race

asked the Secretary of State for Energy on what date he was informed of the arrangements existing between the present chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board and the Westinghouse Corporation.

Mr. John Moore

Sir Walter Marshall, in his personal capacity, does not have, and has never had, any commercial relationship with Westinghouse. Of course, as former chairman of the Atomic Energy Authority, as chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board, and as chairman of the pressurised water reactor task force, he has been in frequent contact with Westinghouse. I should add that the Government have the highest regard for the way in which he carries out his public duties.

Mr. Race

Is it in the public interest to have in charge of choosing the type of generating capacity that Britain is to install in the 1990s a man who has had a close personal relationship with the Westinghouse Corporation for the last eight years? When the Secretary of State was informed of these matters on 10 May 1982, why did he not notice that there was a strong conflict between the interests of Sir Walter Marshall and those of the public? Is it not about time that these matters were fully revealed and debated in the House?

Mr. Moore

The hon. Gentleman clearly did not listen to my answer. Had he done so he would have realised that the Government have absolute confidence in a man who has served Governments of both political parties with great distinction throughout his public career. There is no conflict of interest whatever in the highly qualified technical advice that he has consistently given to Labour and Conservative Governments.

Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith

Is my hon. Friend aware that Conservative Members regard the question by the hon. Member for Wood Green (Mr. Race) as a disgraceful innuendo? We have the greatest confidence in Sir Walter Marshall. We have known him over a great many years and regard him not only as a distinguished scientist and engineer but as a man of the utmost integrity.

Mr. Moore

I can add nothing to my hon. Friend's remarks other than to deplore the way in which this forum is used to smear a great public servant.