HL Deb 14 July 1989 vol 510 cc519-20

11.26 a.m.

Lord Hatch of Lusby asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will consider extending the time for objections from the public to be submitted on the Wylfa B and Sizewell C power stations if representations are made by citizens in the localities affected.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy (Baroness Hooper)

My Lords, no. The Government believe that the period of three months that my right honourable friend has allowed for objections on the Wylfa B and Sizewell C applications is ample time for anyone who wishes to become a registered objector.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that although the Government may believe that, the people in the localities do not? Are the Government not concerned with the weight of local opinion as increasing details emerge about the danger of leukaemia in particular to children in these areas as well as other dangers from nuclear installations? Will she also consider whether the Government should not influence the local authorities whose time limit for objections to the planning application appears to be much shorter than that which is demanded by the Secretary of State?

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, as the noble Lord is well aware the statutory minimum period for objections to be made to the Secretary of State is 21 days. We therefore believe that three months is a very ample period of time. Given the publicity that attaches to these applications, there is no question of anybody not hearing about the application until the last minute. It is for the local planning authorities to make their own arrangements in this respect. It is not for the Government to interfere in those arrangements.

Lord Peston

My Lords, will the noble Baroness clarify one aspect of these inquiries in relation to the Bill going through your Lordships' House? Will the representations being made about these power stations be affected by the non-fossil fuel requirements that will be written into the Bill which will presumably become an Act before very long?

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, as I have said previously in relation to this question, the non-fossil fuel obligation will of course be a consideration. However, the planning arrangements and procedures are not in any other way affected by it.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, the noble Baroness appears simply to have repeated her first Answer. Is she not concerned about the local opinion among people who have to live in the vicinity of these power stations? If that local opinion is expressed in an organised way to the Secretary of State, will he at least consider extending the time? In view of the snide comments of the Secretary of State this week concerning the various green organisations, is it not essential that the representations of those organisations that represent objectors to the building of nuclear power stations—in particular those at Wylfa and Sizewell—should be given full weight before a decision is taken? Is it not essential that every effort should be made by the Government to ensure that all such people and organisations representing them have a full opportunity to put their point of view before any decision is taken?

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, of course the Government are concerned about the objections which are raised. That is why a period of three months has been given to enable local people to make their objections. It seems to me that what the noble Lord, Lord Hatch of Lusby, is now seeking is two tranches to the procedure. He seems to want an initial period in which people can dispute the length of time for registering objections and then a further period for actually registering the objections. In my view the registration of objection can happen right away.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, it is not I who ask for an extension. It is the local people. Will the noble Baroness and the Secretary of State not take notice of organised public opinion in that area? It is public opinion that counts, not my view.

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, of course the Government will consider any objections that are raised. Perhaps the noble Lord, Lord Hatch, will help the local communities by explaining to them that instead of objecting to the period for objections they should get on and make their objections.