Chamber
Plenary, 14 Apr 2005
14 Apr 2005 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Nuclear Power
We will now get back to reality. We must get away from ridiculous and childish scaremongering and look at the development of a safe, reliable and balanced energy policy. The Executive position on nuclear power is set out absolutely unambiguously in our programme for government. Although we are not averse to yet another debate on nuclear power, we have made it clear in the various consultations that have taken place that, as long as we do not have a solution to the issue of the safe disposal of nuclear waste, we should not build new nuclear power stations. I am not sure how I could make that position any clearer.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S2M-2691, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on nuclear power.
Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
During the previous debate, I noted the complaints that were made against the Scottish National Party for choosing to debate a devolved issue during a Westmi...
The Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning (Allan Wilson):
Lab
We will now get back to reality. We must get away from ridiculous and childish scaremongering and look at the development of a safe, reliable and balanced en...
Mr Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green):
Green
When will the minister consider the issue of waste storage to be resolved? Will it be when a disposal method has been identified or when a site has been put ...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
The issue will be, of course, a work in progress and I will address it in due course. I am sure that the member is familiar with the consultation that is tak...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
Will the minister take an intervention?
Allan Wilson:
Lab
If the member does not mind, I would like to make some progress. I have only five minutes.The Executive places a great deal of importance on the committee's ...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I welcome the debate and will take the opportunity that it presents to run briefly through the Conservatives' position on nuclear power again.The Conservativ...
Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP):
SNP
Will the member give way?
Alex Johnstone:
Con
No—I just do not have time.Today we are talking about not only nuclear power, but issues surrounding nuclear waste, on which Richard Lochhead went into great...
Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP):
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Alex Johnstone:
Con
I am sorry, but I cannot.Waste is an historical problem and we must not confuse that problem with the problems of this country's energy needs and its require...
Bruce Crawford:
SNP
Will the member give way?
Alex Johnstone:
Con
I am sorry, but I just do not have time.I want to deal with the position that is taken by the Scottish National Party and, to some extent, by the Liberal Dem...
Chris Ballance (South of Scotland) (Green):
Green
We have already invoiced our grandchildren for an incalculable amount—the cost of clearing up the waste that the nuclear electricity we have burned so far ha...
David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
It is all very well for Chris Ballance to make such arguments in Parliament and in the leafy suburbs of Edinburgh, but why does he not show the courage of hi...
Chris Ballance:
Green
Mr Mundell knows perfectly well that I have been to Annan and have discussed the issues with the workers at Chapelcross.
Stewart Stevenson:
SNP
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Would you care to draw to Mr Mundell's attention the document that the Scottish Parliament has produced on candidates...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
I note what the member has said.
Chris Ballance:
Green
In the case of Hunterston, the timeline assumption is that most of the cost of decommissioning will be spent not in the first two years of the budget, but in...
George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD):
LD
On behalf of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, I am pleased to support the Scottish Executive amendment, which states categorically that we will not support fu...
Bruce Crawford:
SNP
I assure George Lyon that when we launch our manifesto tomorrow it will be full of promises to have no more nuclear power stations. Will George Lyon rule out...
George Lyon:
LD
As the amendment in the minister's name makes clear, right now we have ruled out any further development of nuclear power. As the minister made clear, Parlia...
Mr John Home Robertson (East Lothian) (Lab):
Lab
I have read carefully the amendment in Jim Wallace's name, and it refers to"not supporting the further development … while waste management issues remain unr...
George Lyon:
LD
It means that there will be no new nuclear power development in Scotland while this coalition Government of the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats is in ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Murray Tosh):
Con
Time is very tight. I will try to call four speakers.
Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab):
Lab
I am pleased to have the opportunity to discuss nuclear power again, not least because nuclear power generation has made an important contribution to the loc...
Stewart Stevenson:
SNP
Will the member give way?
Dr Murray:
Lab
I am sorry, but I do not have time.Every time there is a wind farm planning application, Christine Grahame opposes it. The SNP cannot have it both ways.The S...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
Will the member give way?