Nuclear Power

Mr. McGovern
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the Scottish Executive regarding the Energy Review with particular reference to the planning system for future nuclear power stations.

Malcolm Wicks
[holding answer 3 July 2006]: The Government have worked closely with the Devolved Administrations throughout the Energy Review on all the areas of devolved responsibility, including planning.

The Government's report on the Review, “Our Energy Challenge”, was released on 11 July 2006. It is available on the DTI website at:

www.dti.gov.uk/energy/review

Paul Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 4 July 2006, Official Report, columns 910-11W, on nuclear power, what the total operating budget was for his Department’s Office for Civil Nuclear Security in each financial year since 2001-02.

Malcolm Wicks
[holding answer 14 July 2006]: The information requested is as follows.

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|       |£000 |
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|2001-02|1,590|
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|2002-03|1,814|
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|2003-04|2,216|
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|2004-05|2,332|
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|2005-06|2,447|
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The answer of 4 July 2006, Official Report, columns 910-11W referred to the charges made to recover the costs of regulatory services from those who received them. The figures in the table are total operating costs. The difference between total operating costs and fees charged (as stated on 4 July) is the net funding provided by DTI to cover the cost of work that falls outside the scope of The Nuclear Industries Security (Fees) Regulations and which therefore cannot be charged to industry. Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) activity covered by net funding includes, for example, policy advice within government, work on proposed future legislation and international work.