HC Deb 12 May 1986 vol 97 cc433-5
6. Mr. Weetch

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Moscow.

Mr. Peter Walker

My many high-level meetings revealed substantial scope for enhanced energy trade with the Soviet Union. The detailed memorandum of understanding which I signed with the Chairman of the State Committee for Science and Technology opens the way to progress in many areas of mutual interest. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Weetch

I thank the Secretary of State for that answer. Does he realise that the widespread reporting of his visit in the press, in the light of the serious events recently in the failure of Soviet nuclear technology, has thrown up a great deal of retrospective interest in that visit? Will he tell the House whether he discussed nuclear safety with Soviet officials? Does he accept that in large parts of East Anglia there are misgivings and forebodings about the serious failure in Soviet nuclear technology, and that he could ease feelings in East Anglia if he would act decisively and recommend cancellation of the pressurised water reactor?

Mr. Walker

The hon. Gentleman's latter point is a matter for the Sizewell inquiry, and decisions on that will be taken when the report is received, which will probably be in September this year.

I had discussions with those responsible for the nuclear industry in the Soviet Union, and I agreed with them the importance of having a better relationship on problems of waste disposal, safety and other technical issues. They expressed themselves in favour of achieving that. Certainly the views expressed in the Soviet Union show that it does want greater liaison, and its attitude of the past few days towards the International Atomic Energy Agency shows some sign that it is now considering taking an international approach to the problem.

Mr. Patrick McNair-Wilson

Did my right hon. Friend have an opportunity to explain to his hosts that the British nuclear programme, which started at Calder Halt exactly 30 years ago this year, is based on gas-cooled reactors? Does he agree that that system has proved itself inherently very safe because, should there be a loss of coolant, there is a longer time to take remedial action than would apply in a water-cooled reactor, where overheating, fire, or something worse, can take place, as we have found out?

Mr. Walker

The heating of the Soviet reactor is on a scale different from any system of reactor operated in the West. There are some fundamental differences. Certainly we are proud of the safety record that has been achieved in this country, and it is important that we ensure that that continues.

Mr. Benn

In view of the openness which is now being pushed, quite properly, by the Government on the Russian Government following events at Chernobyl, will the Secretary of State give an assurance that he will suspend work and expenditure on the PWR until the full report of the Chernobyl inquiry is available for examination in this country and that the House, not Ministers, will take the decision on whether to go ahead?

Mr. Walker

No, Sir. In the normal way the Sizewell report will be examined in full. It will be made available to and debated in the House. Unlike the Soviet system, before any such development takes place here there are planning inquiries and parties can democratically present their views in the House. I expect that the Soviet people would like a similar system in their country.

Mr. Portillo

When my right hon. Friend next visits Moscow, will he extend sympathy to the people of the Soviet Union on the nuclear accident? Will he confirm now that the nuclear accident in the Soviet Union makes nuclear power in the United Kingdom neither safer nor more dangerous and that the risks involved were taken into account? Will my right hon. Friend do what he can to ensure that the debate in this country is conducted rationally, not hysterically?

Mr. Walker

Anybody looking at the long-term problems of energy will recognise that there is tremendous advantage to the world in having this form of energy throughout the next century. People will also realise that there are potential dangers if the industry is not conducted safely and well and with every possible safety measure taken. Therefore, it is important to get proper international standards operating throughout the world.

Mr. Meadowcroft

Does the Secretary of State accept that one future benefit from this appalling accident might be better international co-operation on nuclear energy? Has the right hon. Gentleman been able to use the contacts that he made during his visit to Moscow since the Chernobyl disaster?

Mr. Walker

I immediately contacted the various Ministers I had seen, including the Deputy Prime Minister, who has been placed in charge of the inquiry into the incident. I spent several hours with him when I was in Moscow. I offered the Russians all the help that we could give, and some of the help that they have requested has been provided by this country. Since then I have communicated with the Deputy Prime Minister and asked for the fullest detail of what took place. I also asked that the type of working party that we suggested when we were there should quickly be put into operation, so that we get the maximum collaboration.

Mr. Stern

Does my right hon. Friend agree, in the light of his visit and the recent regrettable events in the Soviet Union, that a premium has always been, and will now be even more so, placed on this country having the safest form of nuclear power generation? Depending on the results of the inquiry, does my right hon. Friend agree that the safest form might be the pressurised water reactor?

Mr. Walker

There were more than two years of hearings during the Sizewell inquiry and a distinguished person took more than one and a half years to write the report. Before any decisions are made, I think it is right that we all objectively examine and read that report.

Mr. Orme

The Secretary of State, on his return from the Soviet Union on 27 April, praised nuclear development there and stated that it was an excellent nuclear industry. That was in dramatic conflict with his statements post-Chernobyl. Was he advised on the safety of those power stations, and will he explain the contradiction between those statements?

Mr. Walker

On my return I said that the Soviet Union had decided to double the size of its nuclear industry, and it has confirmed that since. I made no comment at all on the safety elements.