Clause 83 - Additional functions of UKAEA
Energy Bill [Lords]
4:30 pm
Mr Norman Baker (Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Environment, Food & Rural Affairs; Lewes, Liberal Democrat)
I should like to ask the Minister briefly about clause 83(3)(a), which gives the UKAEA
''power to manage and commercially to exploit any land or other property of theirs that is no longer required by them for or in connection with the carrying out of their other functions''.
That appears to give the UKAEA a green light to undertake activities that are not related to its core functions. It allows it to take its eye off the ball and diversify into other matters. Have I read that correctly? I think that the UKAEA should concentrate on its important tasks and not seek to diversify in the way allowed by the clause. Will the Minister reassure me by explaining what that measure means, and what limitations are placed on the activities of the UKAEA by the subsection?