§ Mr. ArbuthnotTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his written answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 566, whether he now proposes to give to Nuclear Electric plc the letter of comfort in respect of its liabilities as described in the departmental minute laid before the House on that date.
§ Mr. WakehamA departmental minute was laid before the House on 6 March, describing the nature of the assurance I intend to provide to Nuclear Electric plc. That minute has now been before the House for more than the required period of 14 sitting days. I have considered all the representations made. I remain satisfied that I should give assurance to Nuclear Electric plc in respect of the types of liability outlined in the minute. I will be writing today to the company to provide this assurance. As the departmental minute makes clear, the extent of the commitment entered into by giving such an assurance is constrained by the statutory limit of £1 billion set out in schedule 12 to the Electricity Act 1889. Commitment beyond this limit will be possible only with the approval of the House.