§ Lord Wakehamasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which nuclear power stations in the United Kingdom were built and are operated by (a) the public sector; and (b) the private sector. [HL352]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleAll the UK's nuclear power stations were built in the public sector.
The Magnox fleet of nuclear electricity generating stations have remained in the public sector since they were commissioned, developed and built between 1956 and 1971. They are currently operated by Magnox Electric plc, a subsidiary of British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. (BNFL), which is a publicly owned company.
The newer advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR) and pressurised water reactor (PWR) nuclear electricity generating stations have been operated by British Energy plc since the company was privatised in 1996. The office for National Statistics announced on 24 September 2004 its provisional decision that, in the light of the control that can be exercised by government through the credit facility and the restructuring of the company, from 9 September 2002 British Energy plc would be classified in the public sector for national accounts purposes.
§ Lord Wakehamasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 7 December (HL Deb, col. 736), whether it is correct that the power stations which gave rise to nuclear waste were built and operated by the private sector. [HL353]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleAll the UK's nuclear power stations were built in the public sector.
The Magnox nuclear electricity generating stations have remained in the public sector since they were commissioned, developed and built between 1956 and 1971 and are currently operated by Magnox Electric plc, which is a subsidiary of British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL). From April 2005, under transitional arrangements pending the outcome of the European Commission's investigation, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) will assume responsibility for operating and decommissioning the Magnox stations.
The advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR) and pressurised water reactor (PWR) nuclear electricity generating stations have been operated by British Energy plc since the company was privatised in 1996. The Office for National Statistics announced on 24 September 2004 its provisional decision that, in the light of the control that can be exercised by 122WA government through the credit facility and the restructuring of the company, from 9 September 2002 British Energy plc would be classified in the public sector for national accounts purposes.
A copy of my letter to the noble Lord Tebbit clarifying the answer I gave during oral questions in the House on 7 December will be placed in the House Library.