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 am not going to cite an example; I have no examples to cite. I have no reason to think that the process has not worked well in so far as it has been operating. However, I am asking a question to which, with respect to the Minister, I have not yet had an answer. What happens in relation to the diversification of UKAEA's activities into managing such sites? What lengths can it go to? Is the clause an open invitation for it to use that power and, if so, does it have the experience to manage matters commercially? If it does not and cannot manage matters effectively, could UKAEA even run up a loss?
I am trying to establish where the boundaries are and what controls are there to ensure that the matter is properly handled. I am not necessarily against the power, but I am seeking to delineate it.