Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chris Huhne and Meg Munn

Thursday 1st July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Chris Huhne]

My hon. Friend will perhaps be reassured to know that yes, plans are under way to increase gas storage. That is likely to continue. There needs to be greater gas storage, and that will help to provide us with greater security of supply.

[Meg Munn (Sheffield, Heeley) (Lab/Co-op)]

17. What his policy is on the development of civil nuclear power.

[The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Chris Huhne)]

The Government are committed to removing any unnecessary obstacles and allowing the construction of new nuclear power stations to contribute to our energy security and climate change goals, provided that they receive no public subsidy.

[Meg Munn]

Two weeks after the decision was made, will the Secretary of State finally tell the people of Sheffield whether the decision on Sheffield Forgemasters was taken because of that coalition policy of no public subsidy? Yes or no?

[Chris Huhne]

I can assure the hon. Lady that the decision on Sheffield Forgemasters was taken because the particular project concerned was simply not affordable. I refer her to the earlier answer that I gave, stating that not just the current Chief Secretary to the Treasury but the former one has assured us that there is no money left.