Clause 8 - Supplemental provisions of designating directions
Energy Bill [Lords]
4:00 pm
Mr Michael Weir (Spokesperson (Environment & Food; Health; Rural Affairs; Trade & Industry); Angus, Scottish National Party)
Is there not a problem that British Energy has had to be bailed out to the tune of many millions of pounds because it is uneconomic? What guarantee do we have that any future private sector operator will be able to make payments, unless there are segregated funds from the outset? Are we not giving out the ultimate blank cheque? The Government or the NDA will have to pick up the bill if any private operator is in the same position as British Energy was before the Government pledged money to it.