§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will request a report from the nuclear installations inspectorate on the shutdown in February of the Trawsfynydd nuclear power station.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryI am aware of the shutdown, but I have no plans to ask the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate for a specific report on the matter. The decision to shut down the Trawsfynydd reactors was taken by the operators, Nuclear 631W Electric plc, and was to enable adjustments to be made in order to allow operation at reduced pressure. The reactors will not be permitted to return to power until the NII is satisfied with the operator's safety case for such action.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he next expects to meet the chairman of Nuclear Electric to discuss pressure vessel integrity in the reactors at the Magnox nuclear power station at Trawsfynydd.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryMy right hon. Friend has no plans to hold such discussions. The matter is an operational one for Nuclear Electric, which is keeping the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate informed.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will be proposing any alteration in the level of the non-fossil fuel obligation following the cut in output at the Trawsfynydd nuclear power station.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe nuclear non-fossil fuel obligation—SI 1990/263 —was fully complied with by the regional electricity companies through the arrangements they submitted to the Director General of Electricity Supply by 1 April 1990. However, in the event of any contracted capacity ceasing to be available for a cause other than an act or omission on the part of a regional electricity company, the order provides that the level of the obligation shall be deemed to reduce accordingly.