§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans exist for fitting special filtered containment venting systems into the designs for the four22W pressurised-water reactors to be built by the Central Electricity Generating Board in England and Wales for the prevention of over-pressurising station containment buildings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerConsent has been granted for only one new nuclear power station: Sizewell B. The design and construction of this station is a matter for the CEGB. I have therefore asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will constitute a planning inquiry commission, as specified in sections 47–49 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971, to consider the possible construction of a nuclear power station at Wylfa.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerAs the Gwynedd county council and the Anglesey borough council have objected to the CEGB's applications for my right hon. Friend's consent to construct a PWR nuclear power station to be known as Wylfa B and to modify the transmission lines in the vicinity of the existing power station at Wylfa, he must now arrange for public inquiries to be held into the applications pursuant to section 34(1) of the Electricity Act 1957. My right hon. Friend will announce the arrangements for these inquiries in due course.
§ Mr. BlairTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what estimates his Department has of the likely costs of decommissioning(a) AGR and (b) PWR nuclear power stations.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will indicate the present estimated cost of decommissioning each advanced gas-cooled nuclear reactor, indicating what cost is to be borne by National Power and what by the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WakehamDecommissioning costs for AGRs and PWRs are matters for the CEGB or SSEB. The accounts of these bodies will include appropriate provisions for AGR decommissioning costs as presently estimated. The Government have taken powers, under schedule 12 to the Electricity Act 1989, to contribute towards decommissioning costs, and the way in which these powers will be used is under consideration.
§ Mr. BlairTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the cost per kwh, or on another basis of appropriate calculations, to be charged by National Power for electricity generated by the Sizewell B power station under the contracts negotiated with the distributors.
§ Mr. WakehamThe contract for electricity from Sizewell B is currently under negotiation.
§ Mr. BlairTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the latest calculation of his Department of the cost of electricity generated by Sizewell B.
§ Mr. WakehamThis is a matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board. I shall ask the chairman of the CEGB to write to the hon. Member.