§ 2.45 p.m.
§ Viscount Hanworth asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ In the event of a postponement of further orders for nuclear reactors, what steps they will take to ensure that United Kingdom expertise on this subject is not lost.
§ Viscount UllswaterMy Lords, Nuclear Electric will be operating its existing stations until well into the next century and will complete and operate the PWR at Sizewell B. This will maintain a significant body of expertise. The Government will review the prospects for nuclear power in the longer term in 1994.
§ Viscount HanworthMy Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. However, is it not sad that having started in the nuclear energy field, if we wait another four years we shall almost certainly have to buy nuclear plant off the shelf from a foreign nation? Does the Minister agree that it was a major mistake not to continue with Hinkley C?
§ Viscount UllswaterMy Lords, the public sector company, Nuclear Electric, is responsible for 13 nuclear stations employing 14,000 people and contributing around 18 per cent towards the country's electricity needs. The company is building the first PWR at Sizewell B with start-up scheduled for early 1995. The Government will review the position in 1994, taking account of the environmental arguments for nuclear power. That hardly adds up to the end of nuclear power in this country, as the noble Viscount predicts.
§ Lord EzraMy Lords, while it is important that we maintain an expertise in nuclear power, does the noble Viscount agree that there should be a proper balance in our research into all forms of energy, in particular into the more efficient use of energy?
§ Viscount UllswaterMy Lords, as the noble Lord is aware the Government pay a great deal of attention to energy efficiency. However, in the short term the perceived need for the amount of power being generated would include Sizewell B.
§ Lord Stoddart of SwindonMy Lords, in the United States there has not been a nuclear power station commissioned for the past 15 years. Can the noble Viscount say whether that factor has injured the United States nuclear energy business?
§ Viscount UllswaterMy Lords, I am sure that the noble Lord will realise that the United States and Europe, especially Eastern Europe, are extremely concerned about the environment. One of the reasons 650 we have consistently maintained the use of nuclear power is so that we do not damage the environment by burning fossil fuels.
§ Lord Williams of ElvelMy Lords, perhaps the noble Viscount will respond to the question asked by my noble friend Lord Stoddart of Swindon. Has the fact that no new nuclear power stations have been commissioned in the United States set that country back in terms of nuclear technology?
§ Viscount UllswaterMy Lords, I cannot give the noble Lord an answer. If I find any evidence on that matter I shall write to him.
§ Lord Lloyd of KilgerranMy Lords, the Minister clearly implied by his answers that the expertise in the field to which he referred is important and valuable. Have the Government taken steps to ensure that such expertise—subject to secrecy arrangements—is capable of being and will be exploited internationally for the benefit of the United Kingdom economy?
§ Viscount UllswaterMy Lords, there are still very good opportunities for the nuclear industry. The nuclear industry inspectorate will continue to inspect our nuclear stations and the Government are committed to maintaining its staffing levels. BNFL has fruitful overseas markets to exploit; the AEA's expertise is much in demand and it is diversifying its business. NNC Limited has been working on Sizewell and the fast reactor. Contractors will be working on Sizewell B until 1994 and that work is currently providing 10,000 jobs across the country. If nuclear power proves to be more competitive with other fuels by 1994 there may be new nuclear construction work in the future.
§ Lord Lloyd of KilgerranMy Lords, I am obliged to the Minister for that comprehensive reply.
§ Viscount Montgomery of AlameinMy Lords, the French are now building nuclear power stations in series and have therefore reduced the cost of the construction process. Is the Minister able to reassure the House that we have good arrangements with the French for using that technology as and when we require it?
§ Viscount UllswaterMy Lords, I know that the department studies very carefully what the French do. However, it would not be right to say that to purchase a PWR from the French would necessarily be a cheaper option as the nuclear installations inspectorate is very careful of our safety in this country.
§ Lord Williams of ElvelMy Lords, referring to the question put by the noble Viscount, Lord Montgomery, does not the Minister accept that the French PWR is Westinghouse technology?
§ Viscount UllswaterYes, my Lords.
§ Viscount HanworthMy Lords, the noble Viscount said that there are and will remain a great many people in the nuclear field, but does he accept that as Hinkley Point C is not going ahead the designers will not be available in the future?
§ Viscount UllswaterNo, my Lords, I cannot accept that argument. It will take until 1995 to get Sizewell B up and running. If the decision is taken in 1994 to 651 build further PWRs—I cannot say whether or not that decision will be taken—the designers will still be in this country.