To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what public consultation process he intends to undertake in connection with the proposal to transfer the licenses for nuclear sites to private operators; [36336](2) what public consultation he intends to undertake in connection with the proposal to split ownership and licensing of certain nuclear sites between private and public ownership. [36337]

Responsibility for licensing of nuclear sites rests with the independent Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate. I understand that the HSE has used its discretionary powers under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965, as amended, to direct licence applicants to carry out a public body consultation which will last for a period of three months.