Speeches by Reader.

“Hinkley Point C is being delivered under a contracts for difference and Sizewell C under the RAB model. Do you think that RAB is an appropriate model for the SMR programme?”

“Given that RAB would expose consumers to paying for construction costs and construction risk and that the first of a kind model used on SMRs means that we do not really know how much they are going to cost to build, is it appropriate for taxpayers to hold that liability?”

“In terms of the UK’s nuclear supply chain, how exposed are we to China?”

“What does “more costly” mean? If the strike price is astronomical compared to renewables and gas, are the Government prepared to walk away from SMR if it is disproportionately expensive to consumers?”

“Sam, what is being done in the Department to reduce the risk that China poses to UK security?”

“You do not know. Would it be in the contract that you would if it does not deliver on what it said?”

“In theory, we could be paying extremely high prices to be the first of a kind. It does not appear like the Government would step away from that decision on SMR if the price paid by consumers for the strike price is considerably larger than renewables.”

“You have signed a contract with it without a contractual arrangement to deliver the 70%.”

“Is there a threshold at which you would consider removing the contract from Rolls-Royce, for example 50% or 40%?”

“Sorry, I was asking Sam in terms of the Department. Is there a focus in your Department to make sure that that manufacturing base is delivered, as well as delivering the actual onsite nuclear and the regulatory changes?”

“I mean China being in the manufacturing supply chain. What work is done in the Department to reduce that risk?”

“The potential rapid closure of St Andrew’s hospital in my constituency puts over 3,000 jobs at risk. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss what package of support we can put in place for those people to ensure they can find good quality work in my constituency?”

“I am just trying to understand the global perspective here. You have talked about the Czech Republic and America; I have just done a quick search, and Rolls-Royce is working in Turkey; there is SMR in Canada, India, and the Middle East, all of which are first of a kind. Why is the industry delivering so many pilot sche…”

“Are we paying for the first of a kind, in terms of the Government investment to support you? Is the Czech Republic? Is Turkey? I have just read on your website that it has an SMR programme with Rolls-Royce. Are all the Governments paying a bit of money to you to fund your R&D?”

“When you say localisation, do you mean built in Britain rather than built by British-owned companies?”

“Alastair, we are going to talk a bit about the supply chain, starting with Rolls-Royce SMR. Can you explain to us what a 70% British-built supply chain means in layman’s terms?”

“Is that by volume, as in the number of contracts, or by value in terms of pounds?”

“The whole delivery, including construction and operations?”

“Of the contracts you have placed to date, what percentage are with British firms? You can always write to us if you do not know this.”

“I should declare a potential or perceived conflict; I worked in the supply chain bidding for work with Rolls-Royce SMR and some of the others that have given evidence. My former firm is one of the firms named on the latest press release. Looking at your online presence, it depends on how you define British content. You…”