National Infrastructure Plan Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

National Infrastructure Plan

David Mowat Excerpts
Wednesday 4th December 2013

(10 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Mowat Portrait David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)
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A large part of the plan concerns Hinkley Point C and Wylfa, which are badly needed and vital, yet we are now hearing that the EU is minded not to give state-aid clearance for those programmes, which could delay them both by three to four years. Can the Chief Secretary put our minds at rest?

Danny Alexander Portrait Danny Alexander
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I can certainly put my hon. Friend’s mind at rest. He should not believe all the rumours that he hears about the European Union, particularly if they are circulating on the Conservative Back Benches. The truth is that we have just started the state-aid clearance process, which does take a bit of time and is there for good reasons. All the work that my right hon. Friend the Energy Secretary and his colleagues have done leads us to have a great deal of confidence that the clearance will be forthcoming.