§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has(a) to close the nuclear reactors at Chapelcross and Calder Hall and (b) to replace them with new reactors. [53756]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 31 July 1998]: The future operation of the Chapelcross and Calder Hall nuclear power stations is a matter for their owner, British Nuclear Fuels plc, subject to meeting the relevant regulatory requirements. I understand from BNFL that they intend to operate these stations for the 50 year lifetimes approved by the regulator, subject to it being safe and economic to do so, and that BNFL currently have no plans to build any new nuclear power stations.