§ Mr. Barronasked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received from the local authorities of Bassetlaw district and Nottinghamshire county council in relation to the application for a coal-fired power station at West Burton; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoodladThe only application for a new power station before my right hon. Friend at present is that for the Sizewell PWR. During the last year, the hon. Members for Newark (Mr. Alexander) and for Bassetlaw (Mr. 155W Ashton) have referred letters to my right hon. Friend that they had received from the chief executive of Bassetlaw district council about a further coal-fired power station at West Burton. No representations have been received from Nottinghamshire county council.
§ Mr. Evennettasked the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of the base load is currently generated by nuclear power stations.
§ Mr. GoodladThe CEGB has advised me that, where possible, it operates its nuclear power stations continuously throughout the year, and all are regarded as base load stations at all times. However, the overall number of stations regarded as base load varies from season to season because of the different levels of demand. It is therefore not possible to provide a fixed proportion on the basis requested. Based on provisional figures some 20 per cent. of the electricity available from the United Kingdom public supply system was provided by nuclear power in 1986.