§ Mr. BennTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set out the grounds on which he based his estimate that the new nationalised nuclear generation company will be cash positive.
§ Mr. BaldryThe Government intend that Nuclear Electric will have a positive cash flow. The precise cash position of the company will depend on the outcome of contractual negotiations with the area boards. The initial contracts will be subject to Government approval.
§ Mr. BennTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will direct the new nuclear company to make public information currently restricted by commercial confidentiality.
§ Mr. BaldryNuclear Electric plc will be operating in a commercial market. It would not be in the taxpayer's interest to have different practices on commercial confidentiality for the company than for other participants in the market.
§ Mr. BennTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether the new nationalised nuclear company will hold title to all plutonium currently in the civil sector in England and Wales; and what restrictions will apply to the company's freedom to sign uranium enrichment, fuel fabrication and reprocessing contracts with French or Japanese fuel cycle companies.
§ Mr. BaldryNuclear Electric will take over responsibility for the Central Electricity Generating Board's plutonium. Contracts for nuclear fuel services will be entered into on a commercial basis.