HC Deb 27 July 1976 vol 916 cc127-8W
Mr. Mike Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the capital projects to be abandoned, curtailed or delayed by the nationalised industries responsible to him as a result of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's announcement on 22nd July.

Mr. Benn

There will be a reduction of £107 million on the capital investment programmes in 1977–78 of the coal, gas and electricity industries. £40 million of this will be found by deferring expenditure on the steam-generating heavy water reactor (SGHWR) at Sizewell. The allocation of the remaining reduction of £67 million will be as follows: electricity industry £25 million, BGC £22 million. NCB £20 million. It will be for the industries to consider how to adjust their programmes.

As a consequence of deferring the SGHWR, expenditure by the UKAEA on research for that project will be reduced by £5 million. It will also be spending £4 million less on research into the fast reactor.