§ Mr. BarronTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many applications he has received for a licence for new independent power stations; and if he will list the sites, size in mw and proposed base load fuel.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerUnder existing legislation, private generators do not require a licence from Government to build or operate an independent power station but they must obtain all the relevant local planning consents.
§ Mr. BlairTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the cost of one kilo watt hour unit of electricity generated by(a) coal, (b) oil, (c) gas and (d) nuclear power, respectively.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThis is an operational matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. BlairTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of electricity generation depends upon nuclear power for each country within the European Community.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Devon, North (Mr. Speller) on 14 November 1988 at column422.
§ Mr. BlairTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of the 13 GW extra generating capacity needed by year 2000, as outlined in his White Paper, "Privatising Electricity", he anticipates to be produced by nuclear power.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan) on 11 May 1988 at column112.
§ Mr. BlairTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he plans to stipulate a minimum or maximum length for contracts between former generating companies and area supply boards; and whether such contracts are to be published.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe Government are seeking a range of contract periods to enable competition to develop. The terms of the contracts will be commercially confidential.
§ Mr. BlairTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy how much generation, other than by National Power and Power Generation, he expects by the year 2000.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 7 December 1988 at column193.