Blair says decision on nuclear power expansion to be taken up in parliament

Blair says decision on nuclear power expansion to be taken up in parliament

LONDON, May 12, 2005 -- AFX-Europe

A decision on whether to expand Britain's nuclear generating capacity will be taken in this parliament, said Prime Minister Tony Blair.

He told his monthly news conference that he believed the two main points to be debated will be the cost of expansion and acceptability to the public.

"I am not sure exactly when this decision comes up, but it will have to be a decision that is taken in this parliament," he said.

"You do have to have this debate. There can't be a debate on climate change without a serious consideration of it (nuclear power), but I have never changed my view that whatever the intellectual answer may be we will never get a new generation of nuclear power stations until you have dealt with these two issues."

Speculation is already mounting that the government will approve an increase nuclear generation capacity to meet its obligations under the Kyoto climate change treaty.

fp/ra

The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.

AFX News and the AFX Financial News logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited

News Provided By