Written question asked by Lord Vinson (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Marland (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 June 2010.

Energy: Nuclear Power

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to secure private finance to manufacture key components for the United Kingdom's nuclear industry, following the withdrawal of their loan to Sheffield Forgemasters.

Answer: It is of course a commercial decision for those in the private sector to decide whether or not to invest in the nuclear supply chain, including in the manufacture of key components, in order to take advantage of the opportunities provided by new nuclear power in the UK and around the world. The Government’s role is to encourage private investment in the nuclear industry in the UK through removing unnecessary barriers to new nuclear and by implementing the four facilitative actions on planning, regulatory justification, generic design assessment and on waste and decommissioning finance. Energy companies have already announced plans to build 16GW of new nuclear in the UK which represents a significant opportunity for UK companies. And the size of the global nuclear market is significant and growing. This is why we remain committed to the development of strong and competitive UK supply chain and are supporting industry through skills development, apprentice schemes, market information, the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, the Manufacturing Advisory Service, support to help export promotion, nuclear R&D and the National Nuclear Laboratory.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 775; 719 c261WA
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Components Finance Private sector Manufacturing industries Nuclear power
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk