HL Deb 30 November 1989 vol 513 cc593-4WA
Lord Williams of Elvel

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much in total was spent on preparing to transfer the CEGB's nuclear power stations to National Power, including the cost of changing the accounting systems within the CEGB.

Viscount Ullswater

This is a commercial matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board. I have asked the chairman to write to the noble Lord.

Lord Williams of Elvel

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What advice they received from the CEGB about the cost of nuclear power during the preparations for and passage of the Electricity Bill and at what stage this advice was given.

Viscount Ullswater

The Government have received advice from the CEGB on many commercially confidential aspects of their operations throughout the privatisation programme. I refer to the Statement made by the Secretary of State for Energy in another place on 9th November.

Lord Williams of Elvel

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are now satisfied that the costs of nuclear power stations are established under generally accepted accounting principles and how they will ensure that the new nuclear company provides accurate information about such costs.

Viscount Ullswater

The new company will be obliged under the Companies Act to publish audited accounts. As it will be a separate company, there is no possibility of the costs of nuclear generation being obscured by cross-subsidy from other activities.

Lord Williams of Elvel

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How the Secretary of State for Energy's statement that "the principal concerns about the price of nuclear power arose because of the high capital charges and the return on investment" rather than decommissioning costs (HC Deb, 13th November, col. 9) can be reconciled with the statement by the Leader of the House that "we are talking here about underwriting and the provision needed for the future … It was because of that that the Government felt that the straightforward thing to do was to keep nuclear in the public sector" (HL Deb. 9th November, col. 975).

Viscount Ullswater

All of these matters were important factors in my right honourable friend's decision. They applied to differing extents to the different reactor types.

Lord Williams of Elvel

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much has been spent by CEGB in ordering equipment for the PWRs at Hinkley Point C, Wylfa B and Sizewell C.

Viscount Ullswater

This is an operational matter for the CEGB. I have therefore asked the chairman to reply direct to the noble Lord.

Lord Williams of Elvel

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why it took the Secretary of State for Energy until 11th October to obtain the figures that he needed to make the decision to withdraw nuclear power stations from the privatisation programme (HC Deb. 9th November, col. 1181) and who supplied the necessary figures.

Viscount Ullswater

The figures in question were supplied by National Power. This information, which was of great importance to the future commercial position of that company, was not made available by them until 1lth October.