§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the total financial sum and manpower effort invested to date by the electricity supply industry in engineering, economic and site evaluations and planning for the Sizewell B reactor.
§ Mr. Alastair GoodladI understand from the Central Electricity Generating Board that total expenditure incurred on Sizewell B to the end of January 1987 amounted to£235 million. This sum covers work undertaken by CEGB, the National Nuclear Corporation, the principal contractors and consultants. The bulk of this expenditure has been on engineering effort and the preparation of the design and safety case. It is of course without prejudice to my right hon. Friend's decision whether or not to grant consent for the construction of Sizewell B. Currently, approximately 375 people are employed in the CEGB's project management team and another 450 people are engaged on supporting design and specification work.
§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Energy how soon he will be in a position to consider an application from the Central Electricity Generating Board on fast breeder reactor power stations to supply electricity to the grid.
§ Mr. GoodladI have not received an application from the Central Electricity Generating Board to build a fast reactor power station.
10W
per cent.1 Type of fuel 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 Coal2 70.4 69.8 70.2 72.8 78.0 79.2 74.7 75.4 48.8 64.5 Oil 2 3 15.4 15.8 16.9 14.9 9.8 7.9 9.9 7.5 33.1 15.8
§ Mr. McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Makerfield on 21 January, Official Report, column 570, concerning net effective cost information supplied to his Department, in which year the Central Electricity Generating Board first supplied such information in connection with a proposed new power station; if he will list the names of all power stations for which investment approval has been given in the light of such information being supplied, stating in each case what merit order positions were specified; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoodladThe current net effective cost approach was first used in the CEGB's case in support of its application to construct Sizewell B, on which my right hon. Friend's decision has not yet been made.
§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the estimated savings or costs per kilowatt year for the proposed Sizewell B nuclear reactor over coal-fired power stations if the price of power station coal is (a) £45 per tonne, (b) £40 per tonne, (c) £35 per tonne, (d) £30 per tonne and (e) £25 per tonne.
§ Mr. GoodladMy right hon. Friend is currently considering the economic case for Sizewell B in the light of Sir Frank Layfield's report. Until he has reached his decision, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on such matters.