§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how long it is proposed to take to complete studies into 94W the possibility of using sites at Moles-worth and Elstow, Bedfordshire, for the purpose of building power stations; and if he intends to publish details of the conclusions reached in the studies;
(2) whether his Department has given the necessary statutory consents for power stations at either Molesworth or Elstow;
(3) whether the Nuclear Inspectorate has granted a nuclear site licence for either Molesworth or Elstow; or when they are expected to be issued;
(4) whether it is proposed to place a light water reactor at Molesworth following the approval of United States of America light water systems by the Nuclear Power Advisory Board;
(5) whether the building of nuclear power plants at Molesworth or Elstow will form part of the next phase of power station constructions or be reserved for a subsequent period.
§ Mr. EmeryThe initial investigation of possible sites for power stations in England and Wales is a matter for the CEGB. I understand that such an investigation has been carried out for a site at Elstow and is proceeding for a site at Molesworth. I am unable to comment on the likely time scale of these investigations or their outcome, but no application has yet been made either for statutory consent or for a nuclear site licence for either of these sites. The timing of such applications depends on the electricity supply system requirements and rests with the CEGB.
Should an application be made for a nuclear power station at any site neither consent nor a nuclear site licence would be granted until the choice of reactor system had been made and a full investigation had been carried out as to the suitability of the proposed site.
The Nuclear Power Advisory Board has not yet made recommendations about any reactor system.