24 June 2010 : Column 346W

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what criteria have been set for companies investing in new build nuclear power plants. [4265]

Charles Hendry: Government's position on new nuclear power is clear. It is for the private sector energy companies to construct, operate and decommission new nuclear power plants, as long as they are subject to the normal planning process for major projects and that they receive no public subsidy. Operator's plans will also have to satisfy the independent safety regulators. The Government will complete the drafting of the Nuclear National Policy Statement and put it before Parliament which if approved will clear the way for planning applications for new nuclear.