How many expressions of interest in developing new nuclear power stations he has received from commercial entities since publication of the white paper on energy policy; and if he will make a statement.

There has been a very encouraging response from industry to the nuclear white paper. I have had several meetings with energy companies and potential manufacturers to discuss the opportunities to build new nuclear power stations in the UK. My Department will be organising a major nuclear investors conference in London later in the spring.

The Minister will know that the nuclear installations inspectorate has expressed great concern about the UK being able to maintain, train and gather the right sort of people in order to assess and approve future installations in this country. Bearing in mind that so many of our skilled workers in this area are seeking work abroad, how does he intend to reverse that worrying trend?

The hon. Gentleman raises a fair point. He will be aware that we recently established a new national skills academy for the nuclear industry, which I think will make a positive contribution. The nuclear installations inspectorate is currently seeking to recruit additional inspectors so that it can complete the generic design assessment process in a timely fashion. We have had a positive response to the recent adverts: more than 160 qualified applicants have applied for those posts. Nevertheless, the hon. Gentleman has raised a fair point and we are trying to address those concerns.

Is the Secretary of State concerned that we learned this week that the already immense cost of £73 billion to clear up the current legacy of nuclear waste is probably an underestimate, and that taxpayers are likely to have a bill of at least £3,000 per family? The nuclear industry has never paid its way; it has always been an economic basket case. Why are we so committed to future nuclear power technology when we know that it will fix another financial albatross around taxpayers' necks?

We support a new generation of nuclear power generation in this country for all the reasons that we set out in the nuclear white paper, about which I made a statement to the House a few weeks ago. The economics of nuclear power has changed dramatically because of the science of climate change and the introduction of carbon pricing. It would be stupid to deny the United Kingdom and future generations of citizens in the UK the same access to reliable electricity that this generation and previous generations have enjoyed. Nuclear can play a role in future; we should be prepared to give it that opportunity.

The Secretary of State and I share the aspiration of private sector nuclear build in the UK. From his Select Committee appearances, I know that we all agree that that must happen as speedily as possible, given that our energy supplies will be depleted in the next decade or so. Will he help the House and set out a rough time scale for when he hopes that actual building of the first new nuclear power plant will commence?

I hope that that will be done in the next three or four years, and that it will be possible to make such progress. It is in the UK's national interest to move ahead with the programme as quickly as possible. We have a responsibility to deal with the past—the taxpayer must discharge that—but we have made it clear that, in future, private sector operators will be responsible for waste disposal and decommissioning. That is a fundamental difference in our new nuclear power proposals. I hope that they have the hon. Lady's support and that of her Committee.

There is public concern about the possibility of radiological leaks from nuclear power stations but less public awareness of the dangers of carbon emissions from fossil fuel power stations. Will the Secretary of State commission research to compare the environmental impact on people and their livelihoods of fossil fuel, nuclear and renewable generation, so that our debate can be better informed?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that suggestion—let me consider that point.

I hope that we all agree that carbon dioxide is a serious pollutant. It is changing the climate of our planet and it is imperative to get on with tackling the problem of climate change. I strongly believe, on the basis of science and economics, that nuclear power can play a large role in helping us meet the challenge of climate change. I should also make it clear that the UK nuclear industry has an exceptional safety record.