Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Harrington of Watford and Wera Hobhouse

Tuesday 7th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD)]

2. What assessment he has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on the civil nuclear industry.

[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.

[Wera Hobhouse]

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?

[Richard Harrington]

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.