§ Mr. John Evansasked the Secretary of State for Energy when he proposes to give consent for the construction of steam generating heavy water reactor power stations.
§ Mr. VarleyI have today granted consent under Section 2 of the Electric Lighting Act 1909, together with deemed planning permission for a steam generating heavy water reactor nuclear generating station on the Sizewell B site in Suffolk. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, has given his consent to an SGHWR station at Torness, East Lothian. These consents will enable any necessary site work to be undertaken in preparation for the construction of the stations, but before work can start on the nuclear installations themselves the boards must also obtain nuclear site licences from the Health and Safety Executive.