§ 7. Mr. IrvineTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the progress of construction of the Sizewell B nuclear power station.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryI am pleased to say that the Sizewell B project is progressing on time and to cost.
§ Mr. IrvineDoes my hon. Friend agree that all those involved in the work on the power station, many of whom are constituents of mine, deserve great credit for the fact that it is proceeding so well? Does not that provide a welcome contrast with the bad old days of the 1950s, 1960s 597 and 1970s, when all too often the construction of power stations—nuclear and conventional alike—fell years behind?
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryYes. The project remains eight months ahead of the committed 72-month programme. That reflects very well on the management and work force concerned. It contrasts markedly with similar past projects which often suffered from appalling industrial relations and were sometimes years late.