HC Deb 09 March 1987 vol 112 cc10-1
10. Mrs. McCurley

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many applications for the construction of coal-fired power stations have been submitted to hint or his predecessors by the generating boards since May 1979; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Walker

No applications for coal-fired stations have been made by the CEGB since May 1979, although for much of the period since then the largest coal-fired station in western Europe has been under construction at Drax. It was completed last year to time and budget at a cost of some £900 million.

Mrs. McCurley

I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply. As he has given us assurances that the Treasury will not interfere in any approvals that his Department gives for the construction of coal-fired or, indeed, nuclear power stations, can he also give an assurance about the conversion from oil-fired to coal-fired stations, especially now that the oil-fired station at Inverkip desperately needs that conversion, and needs it quickly?

Mr. Walker

I note my hon. Friend's remarks. On no occasion in my ministerial life have I ever, alas, been able to say that the Treasury will not interfere in anything. I can only say that no discussion or debate is going on between myself and the Treasury on those matters because only one application is before us. Conversion schemes or any other application by the CEGB will be carefully and quickly considered.

Mr. Wrigglesworth

When the Secretary of State is considering alternative forms of power generation, will he bear in mind that there is a very wide consensus of support for coal-fired power stations and that the power generating industries that make and design much of the power station equipment for nuclear and other types of power generation can also generate jobs and wealth in designing and commissioning a coal-fired power station?

Mr. Walker

I am well aware of that. If the Government had not recognised the continuing importance of the coal industry, we would not be investing £2 billion in that industry over the next three years. We have invested far more over recent years than the Labour Government that the hon. Gentleman used to support. In return, I hope that he will give careful consideration to the 150,000 jobs that are involved in the nuclear industry, particularly in the north-east.

Mr. Holt

In considering Sizewell B, will my right hon. Friend recognise the importance of the coal-fired industry particularly as it relates to NEI Parsons in the north-east of England where any further loss of jobs would be quite untenable? Until those orders come from the Government, nothing further can he done. We wish for a lead in that respect.

Mr. Walker

Orders come from the CEGB, not the Government. The Government do not own or run any power stations. I understand that applications must come from the generating industry, depending upon requirements. My hon. Friend knows that the CEGB has been examining a number of sites for coal-fired power stations. It will undoubtedly be considering what future strategy to pursue. I can only repeat what I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Renfrew, West and Inverclyde (Mrs. McCurley), that as soon as any applications come in they will be carefully and quickly considered.

Mr. Orme

Is it not a fact that, because there have been no orders for any type of power station over the past eight years under this Government, there is now a shortage of capacity, particularly in the south-east and south-west of England?

Mr. Walker

The Labour Government, who made the decision in 1978 on the Drax power station, decided to compensate the CEGB because they decided that the power station had been ordered ahead of time and the capacity was not needed.