HC Deb 23 July 1990 vol 177 cc115-6W
46. Mr. Frank Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has undertaken with the nuclear installations inspectorate regarding the future of Sizewell B nuclear power station.

Mr. Baldry

There are frequent discussions between my Department and the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate on the safety of nuclear installations—including Sizewell B.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his answer of 5 July,Official Report, column 670 what consideration he has given to the implications of the decision of Nuclear Electric to charge costs related to Sizewell B for the exercise of his functions under section 97 and schedule 12 of the Electricity Act 1989.

Mr. Wakeham

I assume the hon. Member refers to Nuclear Electric's recent decision to write off to revenue £199 million of nugatory expenditure relating to the construction of a family of four PWR stations. These costs are not eligible for financial assistance under section 97 and schedule 12 of the Electricity Act 1989.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his answer of 5 July,Official Report, column 670, if he will meet the Director General of Electricity Supply to discuss the implications for the exercise of his tariff-setting powers of the accounting practices of Nuclear Electric in respect of revenue and capital costs relating to Sizewell B power station and the costs of electricity generation related to Magnox and AGR stations.

Mr. Wakeham

The accounting practices of Nuclear Electric referred to by the hon. Member have no implications for these functions of the Director General of Electricity Supply.

56. Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how much public money to date(a) has been spent on Sizewell B and (b) is committed currently; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Baldry

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes).