Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 January 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 26 January 2007. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 February 2007 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Westinghouse Engineering

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2007, Official Report, column 1618, on Westinghouse Engineering, what account was taken of the implications of access to reactor design technology in the decision to sell Westinghouse Engineering; and what advice N. M. Rothschilds gave on this matter.

Answer: The sale of Westinghouse was in line with the finding of the joint BNFL/HMG strategy review. We considered the matter carefully before agreeing to a sale. We did not believe that ownership of Westinghouse would be likely to have any bearing on the UK's ability to satisfy any future nuclear energy needs. In the event of new build programme we would want the private sector, most likely the existing generators, to take the lead in funding and purchasing any new generation of reactors untainted by whether the technology was Government owned.N M Rothchilds did not provide any specific advice on whether technology ownership was in any way important to UK new build. Advice given by N M Rothchilds was provided on a confidential basis.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 456 c904W;456 c906-7W; 112245
Session: 2006-07
Related items: Westinghouse Engineering
Tuesday, 23 January 2007
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Westinghouse
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk