A
Department of Energy Atomic Energy Division Thames House South
Millbank London SW1P 4QJ
Telegrams Energy London SW1
Telephone Direct Line 01-211 7151
Switchboard 01-211 3000
CE Leeks Esq
Hong Kong Department
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Whitehall
LONDON SW1
Dear Leek's
Your reference
Qur reference
Date
AE 9/103/3
8 July 1986
HONG KONG
Following our telephone conversation earlier this afternoon, please find below our proposed text in reply to Hong Kong telno ELFU C01 about the Sizewell B situation. As I explained to you, it is difficult for us to comment on an article in a journal which we have not seen and nor is it possible to predict the outcome of the Sizewell Inquiry. However, you will find that we have answered the remaining questions and for good measure added some further background information which Hong Kong may find useful in dealing
vich nuestions on this topic.
2.
Under existing statutes, the Central Electricity Generating Board (BT have to apply for consent of the Secretary of State for Energy under Section 2 of the Electric Lighting Act 1909 to construct any generating station. Thel?
to construct a Pressurised Water Reactor at Sizek212 uas been through a lengthy public inquiry and the Inspector, Sir Frank Layfield, has told the secretary of State that he now hopes to deliver his report to his in September. The Secretary of
State then intends to reach his decteluns on the report as soon as he possibly can- Where ic indication at this stage of the likely outoume of the T
2 - The Board will also require a separate site license from the
Nuclear Installations Inspectorate before countruetion can begin.
Subject to your comments, I should be grateful if wow would arrange for this message to be sent to Hong kong, together with our sincere apologies for the delay.
thes surcordi Gues
Brean Freeman
B FREEMAN
174
Mr Steele AE Mr Johnson EI