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British Nuclear Group

I have already paid tribute to the skills of our work force in the nuclear industry. Those skills need to be safeguarded and we need to think about the future when, as with other parts of the energy sector—oil and gas—demographic trends mean that the average age of workers is increasing. We need to attract new people to those industries. It is critically important that whoever takes over BNG has a proper understanding of what these days we call the human relations side of business. I should rather climb a tree myself than jeopardise those important relationships. In any case, such companies would have to contend with my hon. Friend, which would be a formidable challenge. I hope I have provided clarity on the issues surrounding the BNG sale and the rationale for approving the board’s decision. In summary, the Government have been persuaded that it is good for the company, its people, the NDA, decommissioning and, ultimately, the taxpayer. I thank my hon. Friend and other colleagues for their contributions to this short, early, but useful, debate. Question put and agreed to. Adjourned accordingly at eleven minutes past Two o’clock.