HC Deb 11 February 1969 vol 777 cc257-8W
46. Mr. Woof

asked the Minister of Power whether, in view of the delays in the construction of the Dungeness B nuclear power station and the consequent effect on costs, he will now set up an independent inquiry into nuclear power costs.

Mr. Mason

The Chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board assures me that, as explained in an earlier reply today to my hon. Friend, the recent mechanical engineering difficulties at Dungeness B are specific to that station and have no implications for the other advanced gas-cooled reactor stations. Consequently, the difficulties there do not provide any new reason for an outside inquiry into generating costs generally, on which I gave my views in my letter to the Chairman of the Select Committee on Science and Technology, published in December as House of Commons paper No. 40.

49. Mr. Swain

asked the Minister of Power whether he will refuse to authorise the construction of any more nuclear power stations until the B station at West Burton has been built on the site adjoining the existing coal-fired station.

Mr. Mason

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Mr. Kelley) on 4th February.—[Vol. 777, c.55.]

57. Mr. Kelley

asked the Minister of Power what estimate he has made of the contribution per kilowatt accruing to the construction cost of Drax No. 2 arising from facilities already provided and which are able to be shared with Drax No. 1.

Mr. Freeson

Detailed estimates of the cost of a power station under construction are a matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board.

Mr. Woof

asked the Minister of Power who will bear the extra costs of the Dungeness B nuclear power station arising from the delays in its construction.

Mr. Freeson

This is a matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board and its contractors.

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