Extracts from questions in the Commons to the Secretary
of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Leaving the EU: Civil Nuclear Industry
(Bath) (LD)
2. What assessment he has made of the effect of the UK leaving
the EU on the civil nuclear industry. [901634]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy (Richard Harrington)
The Government have made clear their commitment to the continuing
success of the nuclear sector, including nuclear research, in
this country. We are aiming for a maximum level of continuity
with the current arrangements. My Department has held discussions
with the sector to ensure we understand and address its concerns.
Does the Minister agree that the uncertainties over leaving the
EU, as well as the falling prices of solar energy and the
timescale for delivering the projects, will make nuclear energy
projects such as Hinkley Point deliver very little value for
money?
I very much disagree with the hon. Lady’s assessment. The
Government’s policy is to go for a mix of different types of
energy, of which nuclear power is firmly and clearly one, as are
renewables and all the others.
(Carlisle) (Con)
As the Minister knows, the nuclear industry is extremely
important to Cumbria. Does he agree that leaving the EU has its
issues, but that it is far more important to ensure that we have
a nuclear sector deal as part of the industrial strategy, which
will mean real investment and growth in the sector?
I agree with my hon. Friend and I commend him for all his work to
support the nuclear industry. We are very well aware of the
nuclear sector deal. I met leaders of the industry last week, as
I do repeatedly, to ensure that their sector deal is important
and will be relevant to carrying the industry forward for a long
time in the future.
(Oxford West and Abingdon) (LD)
19. The civil nuclear industry is getting increasingly twitchy
about Euratom transition arrangements. Will the Minister today
clarify whether Euratom membership can continue during the
transition period and, if not, will he support the cross-party
amendment 300 to the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, which
would protect the civil nuclear industry from a cliff-edge
Brexit? [901656]
The hon. Lady will be aware that these matters are being
discussed in the Bill Committee. The Government intend to build a
consensual view to ratify the problem. I know she has a keen
constituency interest. The Government are aware of all the
issues. It is our intention to have the closest possible
relationship with members of Euratom.
(Rugby) (Con)
It is very important that we achieve an agreement with the EU
that enables us to retain as many of the benefits of Euratom as
possible. Will the Minister say something about the future of
small modular reactors in the UK?
My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. The Department is
looking closely at small nuclear reactors. We have had
presentations from many different companies and entities involved
in developing this technology. We hope this will be brought to a
conclusion very quickly. I commend him. I visited his
constituency to see the research work going on there. We are very
supportive of it.
(Barrow and Furness)
(Lab/Co-op)
Exiting the EU is introducing an added complication into the
efforts to rescue the Moorside deal, with all the jobs and
security it would bring. Are the Government open to the idea of
offering a stake in the Moorside project if the conditions with a
particular buyer are right?
I would make two points to the hon. Gentleman, who is also a
worthy champion of the nuclear industry: the Moorside arrangement
is a private commercial matter for Toshiba; and in my view what
is happening with Euratom and the EU is not really relevant here.
