Nuclear Power (Hansard, 26 October 1993)

§ Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what assessment has been made by his Department in respect of new nuclear power stations of the risks of(a) turning out to be a poor performer, (b) major construction cost increases, (c) (i) retrofitting, (ii) power downrating and (iii) closure arising from the tightening of (1) safety standards, or (2) environmental standards resulting from a major accident or otherwise and (d) major increases in (i) spent fuel management, (ii) decommissioning and (iii) radioactive waste management costs;

(2) if he will make a statement on the strategic benefits of nuclear power which have been identified in his Department's nuclear review;

(3) what consideration his Department's nuclear review has given to assessing viability of new nuclear power stations to the delays and uncertainties in the development of a national radioactive waste repository; and if he will make a statement;

(4) what discount rate will be used in his Department's nuclear review in investment appraisal for new nuclear power stations;

(5) what are the results of his Department's nuclear review in respect of tests to determine whether new nuclear power stations are commercially viable;

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(6) what consideration his Department's nuclear review has given in assessing the future security of nuclear power to the economic, social and political impacts of a major nuclear accident; and if he will make a statement;

(7) if he will list the (a) risks and (b) uncertainties associated with nuclear investment which have been identified as a result of the nuclear review; and what plans he has for determining who will be responsible for covering them;

(8) if he will list the options being considered in his Department's nuclear review for financing new nuclear power stations.