§ Lord Williams of Elvelasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the projected rate of return on investment in the Sizewell B nuclear power station.
§ Viscount UllswaterMy right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Energy has recently received from Nuclear Electric plc a report on progress with the Sizewell B project. The report is receiving detailed consideration, and will be discussed with the company. It would not be appropriate to comment on matters relating to the costs of the project, or on its commercial prospects, until such consideration is complete. The decision to build Sizewell B was taken on the basis of a real rate of return required, at the time, of 5 per cent.