§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what recent representations he has received concerning the future of the nuclear industry following privatisation of the electricity industry.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI have received representations from electricity consumers, unions, other nationalised industries and other interested parties about a wide range of issues related to the privatisation of the electricity supply industry, including the implications for the future of nuclear power.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if there will be any requirement on the new privatised power company including nuclear plant to renegotiate commercial contracts signed on 24 April 1986, by the Central Electricity Generating Board with British Nuclear Fuels plc for spent nuclear fuel reprocessing at the Sellafield thermal oxide reprocessing plant.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerNo.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what capital value will be put on the Central Electricity Generating Board technical research centres at(a) Barnwood, (b) Marchwood and (c) Berkeley under privatisation;
(2) what capital value will be put on the Electricity Council research centre on electricity efficiency at Capenhurst under privatisation;
(3) what valuation will be put on (a) Central Electricity Generating Board's Magnox plants and (b) Central Electricity Generating Board's AGR plants under privatisation.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe Government aim to achieve full value for the taxpayer for all parts of the industry, consistent with the Government's objectives for the privatisation. We will be seeking expert advice on the industry's value, but ultimately it will be determined by the market.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what requirements will be laid upon the new large power 647W company including the nuclear power stations to retain a holding in United Kingdom Nirex Ltd. under privatisation plans.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerDetails have yet to be considered, but present expectations are that the Central Electricity Generating Board's shareholding in United Kingdom Nirex Ltd. will pass to the successor operator of Central Electricity Generating Board nuclear power stations.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the implications for the present Central Electricity Generating Board commitment to research and development investment in the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority fast reactor programme of proposed privatisation plans.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe Central Electricity Generating Board agreed to provide some 30 per cent. of the funding of the fast reactor programme with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority from 1987–88. After privatisation, it will he a matter for the industry to decide how much it should spend on the fast reactor.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consideration has been given in his preparation of plans to privatise the electricity supply industry to the suitability of the present underwriting insurance arrangements in the case of a major accident at a nuclear power plant.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerArrangements under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 will continue after privatisation.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what valuation will he put on the spent nuclear fuel in storage ponds at Central Electricity Generating Board nuclear reactor sites under privatisation;
(2) what valuation will be put on low and intermediate-level nuclear waste at Central Electricity Generating Board nuclear plant sites under privatisation;
(3) what valuation will be put on (a) unreprocessed spent nuclear fuel, (b) uranium arisings, (c) plutonium arisings and (d) nuclear waste arisings from Central Electricity Generating Board nuclear fuel reprocessed at Sellafield under privatisation.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerIt is too early to say what the valuation of these materials will be at the time of the privatisation of the electricity supply industry.