Nuclear Power (Hansard, 25 November 1987)

§ Mr. Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any plans to raise at the next Council of European Energy Ministers, the implications for the future of European civil nuclear collaboration of the outcome of the Italian referendum result on nuclear power.

§ Mr. Michael Spicer
No.

§ Mr. Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if the contractual arrangements for United Kingdom participation in the Superphenix project for a fast reactor, presently held by the Central Electricity Generating Board, include any stipulation on the proportional ownership by participating countries of the electricity output from the Superphenix fast breeder reactor; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Michael Spicer
This is a matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board. I shall ask the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

§ Mr. Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what agreement has been made with other partners in the European fast reactor collaborative programme over the expected payback time in electricity production in proportion to the respective investments made by each country in the programme; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Michael Spicer
The return on the utilities' investment in future fast reactor plant will be a matter for the utilities.

§ Mr. Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he has any plans to discuss the implications of the recent Italian referendum on nuclear power for Italian involvement in the European fast reactor collaboration programme, including Superphenix, with the Italian Ministry for Industry; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he has any plans to discuss with representatives of ENEL the implications for its continued participation in the European fast reactor consortium of the result of the Italian referendum on nuclear power on 9 November;
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(3)what assessment his Department has made of the implications of the recent Italian referendum on nuclear power for the continued participation of Italy in the European fast breeder reactor consortium;
(4)what consideration has been given to possible increases in the United Kingdom contribution to the research and development programme for the European fast breeder reactor development, in the light of the Italian referendum on 9 November, requiring Ente Nationale Per L'Energia, the Italian consortium partner, to withdraw from its share partnership in NERSA, the fast reactor development organisation.

§ Mr. Michael Spicer
No. The Italian Government are themselves now considering the implications of the results of the recent referendum.