HC Deb 12 December 1967 vol 756 cc78-9W
42. Mr. McGuire

asked the Minister of Power if he will state the costs of disposing of radioactive waste from nuclear power stations, and describe the methods used; and whether the costs are charged against the stations concerned.

Mr. Freeson

The costs of dealing with radioactive waste at power stations are included in the capital and operating costs of the stations concerned and are not readily separable. I understand that the costs of processing wastes in irradiated fuel elements are allowed for by the Atomic Energy Authority in the price paid to the Generating Boards for the re-purchase of such fuel. For information about the disposal of solid and gaseous waste I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bebington (Mr. Brooks) on 7th November.—[Vol. 753, c. 806.]

44. Mr. Kelley

asked the Minister of Power what effect he estimates devaluation will have on the operating cost of the advanced gas-cooled reactor nuclear power stations, Dungeness B and Hinkley Point B; and what effect it will have on the operating costs of the coal-fired stations at Cottam and Drax.

Mr. Marsh

It is too early to estimate but a significant difference appears to be unlikely.

Mr. Albert Roberts

asked the Minister of Power when it is expected that the advanced gas-cooled reactor nuclear power stations Dungeness B and Hinkley Point B will be in operation; and when he estimates that the coal-fired station at Cottam will be in operation.

Mr. Marsh

1970, 1972 and 1968 respectively.

Mr. Eadie

asked the Minister of Power what he estimates to be the effect on the average price paid for electricity by domestic and industrial consumers throughout Great Britain of achieving the forecast savings of cost expected from building advance gas-cooled reactor nuclear power stations with a total capacity of 8,000 megawatts, over a programme of coal-fired stations, assuming that all other factors remain unchanged.

Mr. Marsh

At the present average cost of coal to the Central Electricity Generating Board, the annual savings would be more than £30 million or about 0.03d. a unit in the mid 1970s. It is not possible to predict the effect on the price of electricity to particular classes of consumer.