HC Deb 17 March 1978 vol 946 cc385-6W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the total number of kilowatt hours from nuclear-generated electricity fed into the grid from 1972 to 1977, and the corresponding contribution from the taxpayer per kilowatt hours for the research and development expenditure.

Mr. Eadie

During the period 1972–77 inclusive 171,457,000,000 kWh, or about 12 per cent. of public electricity supply, was contributed by nuclear power stations in Great Britain. In the financial years 1971–72 to 1976–77 net expenditure by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority on research and development in direct support of the nuclear power programme, including expenditure on specific reactor design and development work in industry, was about £410 million. However, this expenditure was for the most part in aid of future energy supplies and did not correspond directly to current nuclear generation of electricity.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will issue a directive to the generating boards to disclose in their annual reports and accounts the total cumulative sum spent by them on exploitating nuclear energy, and the total cumulative amount of nuclear-generated electricity fed into the grid.

Mr. Eadie

No. The CEGB already publishes figures relating to nuclear expenditure and supply in its annual reports and associated Statistical Yearbook. The Scottish generating boards are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

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