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Mr. Wakeham : I meet the chairman of Nuclear Electric plc regularly to discuss various matters.
25. Mr. Alan Williams : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he next proposes to meet the chairmen of electricity distribution companies to discuss privatisation.
32. Mr. Frank Cook : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairmen of the area electricity distribution companies to discuss privatisation.
37. Mr. Murphy : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he next expects to meet the chairmen of electricity distribution companies to discuss privatisation.
56. Mr. Cunliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairmen of the area electricity distribution companies to discuss privatisation.
Mr. Wakeham : I meet regional electricity company chairmen regularly to discuss a range of matters.
Mr. Cummings : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairmen of the area electricity distribution companies to discuss privatisation.
Mr. Wakeham : I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin).
Coal Production
26. Mr. Robert G. Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the level of national average production in the coal industry in the year ending 1989-90.
57. Mr. Arbuthnot : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the level of national average production in the coal industry in the year ended 1989-90.
Mr. Baldry : During 1989-90 the estimated production of the coal industry, including both deep-mined and opencast coal, was 95.2 million tonnes.
64. Mr. Knox : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the increase in labour productivity in the coal mining industry since 1983-84.
Mr. Baldry : The output of coal per man-shift in the British Coal Corporation has increased by over 75 per cent. since 1983-84.
Sellafield
27. Mr. Campbell-Savours : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of Britain's energy output is produced at Sellafield.
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Mr. Baldry : A total of 0.2 per cent. of Great Britain's energy output in 1989 was produced by the Calder Hall power station at Sellafield.Atomic Energy Authority
29. Mr. Ian Bruce : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals his Department has to assist the Atomic Energy Authority to maintain its atomic energy research capabilities and to develop new non- nuclear business.
Mr. Baldry : AEA Technology has launched a major drive to become more commercial, more efficient and to reduce costs. This initiative offers the AEA the opportunity of exploiting its research capabilities and of developing new business.
Offshore Installations
31. Mr. Ernie Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the number of accidents involving injury to personnel on offshore installations for the first three months of 1990.
Mr. Peter Morrison : One fatal accident, 16 serious accidents and 129 accidents causing disablement from work for three days or more were reported to this Department between 1 January 1990 and 31 March 1990.
59. Mr. McAllion : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the director of the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association to discuss safety on offshore installations.
Mr. Peter Morrison : I meet the director of the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association regularly to discuss a range of issues concerning safety on offshore installations. In addition, my safety directorate is in regular contact with the association about measures to improve offshore safety.
Lead-free Petrol
33. Mr. Hind : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy by how much the sales of lead-free petrol have increased since 1979.
55. Mr. Ian Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy by how much the sales of lead-free petrol have increased since 1979.
Mr. Peter Morrison : Sales of unleaded petrol have increased substantially over the last two years. In 1979 there were no sales of unleaded petrol, whereas currently about one third of petrol sold is unleaded.
Sizewell B
34. Mr. Alex Carlile : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many representations he has received in favour of the construction of Sizewell B ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Baldry : My Department has received several representations in favour of constructing Sizewell B.
Mr. Harry Barnes : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last reviewed the cost of construction and the resulting cost of electricity from the Sizewell B nuclear power station.
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Mr. Baldry : I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to the hon. Member for Barnsley, Central (Mr. Illsley) earlier today.
British Coal
35. Mr. Hood : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of British Coal to discuss the future of the coal industry.
Mr. Wakeham : I meet the chairman of British Coal regularly to discuss all aspects of the coal industry.
47. Mr. Janner : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of British Coal to discuss investment funding for new pits in the east midlands.
Mr. Wakeham : I meet the chairman of British Coal on a regular basis to discuss all aspects of the coal industry. I have recently announced a capital allocation for the corporation for 1990-91 of £445 million. Within this allocation investment in particular projects is a commercial matter for the management of British Coal, but I would of course expect to be consulted about any major new investment project.
49. Mr. Andy Stewart : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he next expects to see the chairman of British Coal to discuss productivity.
Mr. Wakeham : I meet the chairman of British Coal on a regular basis to discuss all aspects of the coal industry, including productivity in which the corporation has achieved excellent improvements since 1985.
Pollution
36. Mr. Teddy Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he has made of the impact on consumer prices of the measures taken to reduce pollution of the environment from power stations.
Mr. Baldry : Measures to reduce pollution from existing power stations are likely to increase costs. The extent to which measures to reduce pollution will increase consumer prices will depend on a number of factors, including the cost and availability of alternative, cleaner sources of supply.
Methane Discharges
38. Mr. Malcolm Bruce : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on methane discharges from gas terminals.
Mr. Peter Morrison : Methane cannot be released unignited into the atmosphere from gas terminals unless a consent under section 12 of the Energy Act has been given by the Secretary of State for Energy. Consents are issued only when it has been demonstrated that it is necessary for the safe operation of a particular plant.
Industrial Gas Prices
39. Mr. Mans : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy by how much industrial gas prices have risen since 21 November 1986 ; and by how much they rose between 1974 and 1979.
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40. Mr. Riddick : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy by how much industrial gas prices have risen since 21 November 1986 ; and by how much they rose between 1974 and 1979.51. Mr. Tim Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy by how much industrial gas prices have risen since 21 November 1986 ; and by how much they rose between 1974 and 1979.
Mr. Peter Morrison Data on average prices are available only quarterly. Between the fourth quarter of 1986 and the fourth quarter of 1989 the latest period for which figures have been published there was a fall of 21 per cent. in real terms in industrial gas prices. From 1974 to 1979 there was an increase of 83 per cent. in real terms.
Electricity Prices
41. Mr. Menzies Campbell : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has made a recent assessment of the respective costings of electricity generated from (a) nuclear power and (b) renewable energy sources.
Mr. Baldry : The Department's latest estimates for the generating costs of renewable technologies are published in energy paper No. 55, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Nuclear costs are a matter for the industry.
Radioactive Material (Transport)
42. Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will outline his Department's responsibilities in respect of the transportation of radioactive material.
Mr. Baldry : My Department's responsibilities are concerned with the security measures necessary to ensure the safe transportation of radioactive materials in the United Kingdom.
Nuclear Electric
46. Mrs. Heal : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to receive the auditor's report on the accounts of Nuclear Electric plc.
Mr. Baldry : Nuclear Electric plc's review of its accounting policies is continuing. The company's opening report and accounts will be published during the summer.
Pipelines
52. Mr. Doran : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy which pipeline systems in the United Kingdom continental shelf are to be shut down for maintenance in the current year ; and for how long.
Mr. Peter Morrison : Three pipelines on the United Kingdom continental shelf are due to be shut down for maintenance work during 1990. These are :
(i) Ivanhoe/Rob Roy, Gas Pipeline (Amerada Hess).
(ii) Cleeton to Dimlington, Gas Pipeline (BP).
(iii) Hewitt 48/29 FTP to Bacton, Gas Pipeline (Phillips). In addition, emergency shutdown valves are to be installed or repositioned in 110 pipelines to comply with SI 1989/1029, and sub-sea isolation systems installed in 10 pipelines during 1990. The pipelines will be shut down for varying periods, from a minimum of four days to a maximum of several months while this work is carried out.
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Offshore Industry (Exports)
58. Mr. Bright : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the value of export orders won by the British offshore industry in 1989.
Mr. Peter Morrison : The British offshore supplies industry is estimated to have won export orders worth around £2 billion in 1989. I have every hope that the value of these exports will continue to grow over the next few years now that the United Kingdom is established as a major centre of technological excellence.
Gas Privatisation
60. Mr. Michael Brown : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many gas bill vouchers issued at the time of the privatisation of British Gas have still to be used.
70. Mr. Wilshire : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many gas bill vouchers issued at the time of the privatisation of British Gas have still to be used.
Mr. Peter Morrison : On 31 May 1990, a total of 50,790 gas bill vouchers worth £1,297,440 had yet to be used. All gas bill vouchers are valid until 30 September 1990.
Geothermal Energy
61. Mr. Matthew Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his most recent estimate of the potential for geothermal energy production in Cornwall.
Mr. Peter Morrison : The most recent estimate of the potential for geothermal energy production in the United Kingdom was published in energy paper No. 55, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. A review of progress of the geothermal programme and future possibilities is currently in hand. I hope to visit the project myself next month.
Coal Privatisation
66. Mr Gow : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will bring forward proposals to give to the mineworkers the opportunity to own their industry.
Mr. Baldry : No decisions have yet been taken on the future structure of the privatised coal industry, but all options, including employee participation, will be considered.
Gas Leaks
67. Mr. Livsey : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has made a recent assessment of leakage levels from the gas distribution system ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Peter Morrison : I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 23 April 1990 at column 96.
Nuclear Safety (France)
68. Mr. Cohen : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he has taken to improve co-ordination between the nuclear installations inspectorate and the French civil nuclear safety authorities.
Mr. Baldry : The Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate has frequent contact on topics of
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mutal interest with its French counterpart, the Service Central de Surete des Installations Nucleaires, under a formal exchange of information arrangement. This co-operation is currently being enhanced by the formation of two new working groups to discuss safety standards, and advanced computer protection systems.Energy Conservation
Mr. John Evans : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his Department's efforts to improve energy conservation in the home.
Mr. Peter Morrison : Energy efficiency in the domestic sector is promoted by my Energy Efficiency Office through a number of programmes and initiatives. These include the provision of authoritative and targeted information via the best practice programme ; marketing and publicity initiatives targeted on low-income householders and those moving house or undertaking improvements ; proposals for a new scheme of grants for insulation measures and advice in low-income households ; and support for home energy labelling schemes.
Mr. Jack : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the further energy savings which could result from the wider adoption of contract energy management systems.
Mr. Peter Morrison : The Government see contract energy management as a very important option available to help industry, commerce, and the public sector to improve their energy efficiency. It allows consumers access to expertise and capital. Its uses range from heavy industry through hospitals and offices to groups of dwellings. My Department, together with Property Holdings, is currently looking at the potential for contract energy management in its headquarters building.
Mr. Bowis : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many homes have been insulated by community insulation projects since 1982.
Mr. Peter Morrison : More than 750,000 homes have been treated by the projects since their work began in 1982.
Sulphur Dioxide Emissions
Mr. Colvin : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if the United Kingdom will comply with the European Community's directive on sulphur dioxide emissions from large combustion plants.
Greenhouse Effect
Mrs. Gorman : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what recent evidence he has received casting doubt upon the importance of the greenhouse effect.
Mr. Peter Morrison : The report of the science working group of the intergovernmental panel on climate change is clear that, without some change in the rate of man-made greenhouse gas emissions, there will inevitably be some consequent warming of the earth's atmosphere. Considerable uncertainty remains as to the scale and timing of such a warming, but, potentially, it could be of the highest importance for our future. I have seen no
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authoritative evidence to the contrary. However my right hon. Friend has received a number of letters expressing an alternative view. All but one of these have been from my hon. Friend.Coal Imports
Mr. Skinner : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the level of imported coal for the latest month for which figures are available ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Baldry : Coal imports to the United Kingdom in April 1990 amounted to 1.12 million tonnes.
Nuclear Power Stations (Decommissioning)
Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he has made of the third-stage decommissioning costs of nuclear power stations ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Baldry : The Government do not make estimates of the cost of decommissioning nuclear power stations. The work of decommissioning nuclear power stations and estimates of the cost of that work are matters for the operators of nuclear power stations.
National Grid Company
Mr. Stern : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any plans to increase Government control of the National Grid Company.
Mr. Wakeham : No. In the new structure NGC is owned, through a holding company, by the 12 regional electricity companies.
Energy Consumption
Mr. Dobson : To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to the answers of 10 May, Official Report, column 201 and 30 April, Official Report, columns 414-15 about energy consumption, what is the square footage of office space to which these figures relate.
Mr. Wakeham : The total area of office space occupied by the Department in 1989-90 to which the energy consumption figures relate was 259,683 sq ft.
DEFENCE
Security Clearance
Mr. Graham : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the main factors which are considered to present a security risk among those working for sub-contractors to his Department ; (2) in how many cases in the last 12 months sub-contractors' employees working at Faslane have failed to gain security clearance ; and what was the average length of time such employees had been working at the base before they were informed of this.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : I am unable to give the information requested, owing to national security considerations.
Mr. Graham : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what rights of appeal exist for sub-contractors' employees working at Faslane who fail to gain security clearance ;
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(2) what procedures his Department adopts when sub-contractors' employees fail to gain the necessary clearance to work at Faslane ; (3) what steps his Department takes to vet sub- contractors' employees working at Faslane.Mr. Archie Hamilton : It is not the policy of this or any previous Administration to release details of security clearance procedures.
Aircraft Accidents
Mr. Campbell-Savours : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the total cost of the repairs to the Hawk aircraft, tail number XX227, following its accident on 21 April 1983 ; and where the repairs were carried out ;
(2) what was the total cost of the repairs to the Tornado aircraft, tail number ZA597, following its accident at RAF Honington in November 1983 ;
(3) what was the total cost of repairs to the Tornado aircraft, tail number ZA412, following its accident at RAF Wildenrath on 14 April 1987.
Mr. Neubert : Exact repair costs for these aircraft are not available, but estimated figures are as follows :
Aircraft |Date of Accident|Estimated
|cost of
|repair
|£K
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Hawk XX227 |21 April 1983 |35
Tornado ZA597 |14 November 1983|91
Tornado ZA412 |14 April 1987 |23
Hawk XX227 was repaired at RAF Scampton and repainted at RAF St. Athan.
Mr. Campbell-Savours : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the rate of major accidents per 10,000 flying hours for Royal Air Force fast jet aircraft in (a) 1988 and (b) 1989.
Mr. Neubert : The rates of major accidents per 10,000 flying hours for Royal Air Force fast jet aircraft, defined as Buccaneer, Harrier, Jaguar, Lightning, Phantom and Tornado aircraft, were 0.79 for 1988 and 0.59 for 1989.
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