Clause 10 - Supplemental functions
Energy Bill [Lords]
5:00 pm
Mr Nigel Griffiths (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry; Edinburgh South, Labour)
I welcome that intervention. The hon. Gentleman has clarified a good point that was put by the hon. Member for Lewes, which I will come to shortly.
The amendment would make it hard for the NDA to promote any research that could help it to do its job more effectively. It would rule out the possibility of the NDA funding research by most current operators and those involved in the nuclear industry, such as BNFL, British Energy and others. That is one of the reasons why we cannot accept the amendment.
The Committee is entitled to know how much information would be made public and how that would be done. The Bill already commits the NDA to a published strategy, an annual plan and an annual report. They will all involve extensive consultation, ministerial approval and publication. The budget will be disclosed to Parliament and be available for scrutiny there. No hon. Member or interested party outside will be hampered in scrutinising what is happening.
That openness will leave us open to the press releases from the Liberal Democrats and others saying, ''Shock, horror—the NDA has gone to some expert in the industry to help to promote research.'' Well, we heard it here first. I hope that will not come as a shock and nor should it when we are simply ensuring, by resisting amendment No. 88, that the NDA is not hamstrung in its function of promoting research. Nor should Parliament be denied the opportunity, through the annual report and other mechanisms, to see what research is being funded. All that is in the public interest. I hope, with that assurance, that the hon. Gentleman will withdraw the amendment.