§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the total Government subsidy to the nuclear power industry in the United Kingdom for each year from 1979 to 1994; and what is planned for each year up to 1998, expressed in 1993 prices.
§ Mr. EggarNo Government subsidies have been paid to Nuclear Electric plc or British Nuclear Fuels plc and none is at present planned. There is no record of the Central Electricity Generating Board having received nuclear specific subsidies from Government covering the period from 1979 when they were responsible for nuclear power generation. Both NE and BNFL are recipients of the fossil fuel levy paid by electricity suppliers in England and Wales. The Government have, however, been the customer for research and development and other programmes undertaken by the Atomic Energy Authority. It funds those programmes and the consequences of those programmes.
Ministerial responsibility for Scottish Nuclear Limited rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.