HC Deb 02 July 1976 vol 914 cc318-9W
Mr. Campbell

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what additional capital the Government will make available to the radiochemical Centre Limited.

Mr. Benn

The Government have decided to provide £5 million additional capital for this company, of which £2 million will be made available in the current financial year and £3 million in 1977–78. It will be provided through the issue of further shares to be taken up by the Atomic Energy Authority. The expenditure in 1976–77 will be met within the existing public expenditure provision by offsetting savings from two Votes: Class IV, 6 and 8. There will be a switch between the relevant cash limits blocks. Thus cash block DEN2 is increased to £125.4 million and DEN3 is reduced to £47.7 million. Expenditure in 1977–78 also will be met from the White Paper total. The extra capital is required to support the radiochemical centre's planned expansion programme and in particular the construction and development of a new manufacturing facility at Cardiff.