§ Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether his Department has had any discussions with the Westinghouse Corporation about the choice and construction of a reactor at Sizewell.
§ Mr. GoodladThe choice of a Westinghouse design of the PWR and the selection of contractors are the responsibility of the CEGB, subject, of course, to the need for statutory consents and the outcome of the inquiry being conducted by Sir Frank Layfield.
As was made clear at the time, on 1 July 1981, at column 373–74, Westinghouse was involved in the task force established by the National Nuclear Corporation and the CEGB to carry forward work on the design so that it could meet United Kingdom safety requirements. My Department was kept informed of the progress made by that task force.
My Department has had occasional informal contacts with Westinghouse, as with other companies in the nuclear 563W industry, about the possible contractual arrangements for the construction of Sizewell B, should I decide to grant the CEGB's application.