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Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 10 October 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 October 2005. It was answered by John Healey (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 December 2005 on behalf of the Treasury.

Nuclear Power

Question
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the use of public funds (a) to support existing nuclear power generation capacity, (b) to deal with (i) past and (ii) future nuclear waste arising from power generation and (c) to support the construction of new nuclear plant generation capacity.
Answer

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry made a statement to the House of Commons on 7 March 2003 setting out the basis on which Government was prepared to provide support to British Energy. The documents setting out the relationship between British Energy and the Government are available on the Department for Trade and Industry website and on 23 November 2005 the Secretary of State was questioned by the Environmental Audit Committee about Government's relationship with British Energy.The liabilities from past and present nuclear generation will be managed by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. The Energy Act 2004 allowed for the creation of this body and it began operating in April 2005.The future of nuclear power will be considered by the Energy Review led by the Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks. The Review will be taken forward in the context of the Government's commitment to sound public finances and will take account of all short-term medium-term and long-term costs and liabilities to both the taxpayer and energy user.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
17136; 440 c1832W;440 c1832W
Session
2005-06
Subjects
Construction Finance Radioactive waste Nuclear power Nuclear power stations Waste management
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk