To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with Vincent De Rivaz, Chief Executive of EDF UK, in respect of his statement on 26 May 2009 that EDF UK will be seeking subsidies from public funds to support new nuclear plants developed by EDF UK at sites in England and Wales. (278385)

No discussions have taken place with Vincent De Rivaz in respect of his statement in the Financial Times on 26 May 2009.

The Government agree with the point made by M. De Rivaz that a robust carbon price is likely to be one of the conditions for long-term investment in low carbon power stations like nuclear.

Government have said that the EU ETS will remain the key carbon pricing mechanism, and the Government are confident that they can provide a continuing price signal; however, the Government are keeping open the option of further measures to reinforce the operation of the EU ETS in the UK should this be necessary to provide greater certainty to investors.