§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the life expectancy of the Magnox stations currently operated by Nuclear Electric.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe lifetimes of Nuclear Electric's Magnox stations are a commercial matter for the company. On 9 November 1989, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced to the House at column 1176 that it should be possible, subject to the views of the nuclear installations inspectorate, for the lifetime of at least some of the Magnox stations to be extended. It remains the Government's policy that capital approval will be given for such projects if a suitable safety and economic case can be made.