§ 7. Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of electricity in the United Kingdom is produced by nuclear power stations; and what plans he has to increase the percentage.
§ Mr. GoodladTwenty per cent. of the electricity available from the United Kingdom public supply system was generated by nuclear power in 1985. The nuclear share is expected to rise to about 25 per cent. by the end of the decade. Thereafter, the contribution from new nuclear capacity will depend on the decision of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on Sizewell B and upon decisions on subsequent applications to build new stations.
§ Mr. TaylorAs it is clearly in the national interest to expand the nuclear power building programme, will the Minister discuss with his colleagues how to reduce the 568 crazy and absurd planning and inquiry delays which take place when a station is planned, especially as the Government have found it possible to promote the building of a Channel tunnel without any public inquiry at all?
§ Mr. GoodladPlanning matters are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. As the House knows, the Government have made it clear on a number of occasions that the Sizewell inquiry should be full and wide ranging. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will lose no time in reaching a decision once the inspector has presented his report.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursWhen nuclear systems at nuclear plants are found to be deficient, should not the Government ensure that the equipment is modernised and changed as soon as possible?
§ Mr. GoodladI know that the Central Electricity Generating Board would agree entirely with the hon. Gentleman, as I do.
§ Sir Trevor SkeetAs it takes about eight years to construct a nuclear power station and many of the Magnox stations are due for retirement in the 1990s or probably shortly afterwards, will not the 20 per cent. proportion fall rather than rise? Does my hon. Friend agree that it is most important for the Government to press on with more nuclear power stations?
§ Mr. GoodladThe Government have made clear their commitment to nuclear power. As I have said, future power station order decisions must await the outcome of the Sizewell inquiry.
§ Mr. SkinnerWhat is the point of concentrating on nuclear power when the North sea contains gas and oil and when we have 300 years of coal under the ground? Why continue with this folly?
§ Mr. GoodladAs the hon. Gentleman knows, nuclear power is cheaper, cleaner and safer than other forms of energy. The Government, like their predecessors, believe that it is in the national interest to have a range of supply options. As the hon. Gentleman also knows, the Government are heavily committed to the coal industry, as evidenced by our enormous investment in it.