To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the White Paper, Meeting the Energy Challenge, what consideration is being given by the Government to siting a new nuclear power station in Northern Ireland. (140112)

Although responsibility for nuclear energy remains an excepted matter under the terms of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, any proposal to build a new nuclear power station in Northern Ireland would require planning permission under Northern Ireland legislation and this would therefore be a matter for the Northern Ireland Administration.

I have previously made it clear that I would not favour a nuclear power station.