Nuclear Sites

HC Deb 08 December 1986 vol 107 cc6-7W

Mr. Michael Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if the latest detailed six-year forecast of capital requirements supplied to his Department by the Central Electricity Generating Board in respect of developments of nuclear sites contains any identified provision for payments of compensation or for the purchase of residential property beyond that required for operational purposes; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Goodlad

Estimates of the costs of developing nuclear sites and other major developments submitted to my Department by the CEGB are expected to include all relevant costs associated with such developments.

Mr. Michael Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if investment approval has been given by his Department in respect of any programme of purchasing residential property in the vicinity of sites under consideration for radioactive waste disposal; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Goodlad

UK NIREX Ltd. was established under the Companies Acts and there is no requirement for its investment proposals to be approved by my right hon. Friend.

The company has, however, advised my right hon. Friend of the costs likely to be associated with various schemes for property purchase which it is considering.

Mr. Michael Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what reports or forecasts have been received by his Department on the estimated total cost of payments of compensation and purchases of property in the vicinity of actual and proposed nuclear sites over the next 10 years; if the cost of such payments and purchases has been taken into account in cost calculations submitted to his Department by nuclear operators; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Goodlad

I would expect nuclear operators to make provision for such costs in any forecasts they make. No such reports or forecasts have been received in my Department except from UK NIREX Ltd.

Mr. Michael Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has as to the purchase of residential property in the vicinity of sites under construction for radioactive waste disposal; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Goodlad

This is a commercial matter for UK NIREX Ltd. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.