All 1 Debates between Lord Haskel and Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Mon 23rd May 2016

Nuclear Reactors

Debate between Lord Haskel and Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
Monday 23rd May 2016

(8 years, 7 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth Portrait Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
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My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for the question. I reiterate that I think it would be premature to talk about specific technologies because that is part of the process under scrutiny now. Those projects that are eligible will enter into a dialogue with officials in the department. There are many technologies that qualify but, as I said, we are keen to do what we can in the national interest. I remind noble Lords that there is £250 million in the innovation budget for the nuclear programme at large, of which small modular reactors are an important part.

Lord Haskel Portrait Lord Haskel (Lab)
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My Lords, EDF has already started training its engineers, with a nuclear engineering academy and some 300 apprentices at Babcock and other engineering firms. If Hinkley Point C does not happen, will the Government continue with this training?

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth Portrait Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
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My Lords, Hinkley C will happen. We have heard in the past week an expression of intention once again from the President of France that the project will go ahead. I think that we will reach a final investment decision later in the year, but there is every confidence that the project will go ahead.