25-7-02

“Tell Government nuclear is not the answer” says Barrett

John Barrett, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called on people to respond to the Government’s consultation paper on energy policy before the September deadline and demand they rule out any extension to the nuclear power industry.

John Barrett MP said:

“Following the release of the DTI consultation document in February, the Government had hoped to start a public debate about the UK’s future energy needs and how they will be provided for. However, despite failing to come up with any satisfactory solution in how to deal with nuclear waste, Ministers have continued to make pro-nuclear soundings in supplying this energy demand.

“I and others in the Liberal Democrats believe the future of UK energy policy must rest with renewable resources such as wind, wave and solar power, rather than the more expensive and environmentally damaging nuclear route. The Government must set more ambitious, longer-term targets to replace the pathetic, directionless ones that currently exist.

“However, most important of all is for the views of people across the country to be made clear to the Government as part of the consultation. Some of the main contributors to my postbag over the last year have been those against nuclear power. It is important they and people throughout Edinburgh, make their views clear by contributing towards the debate.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Members of the public can read and respond to the consultation document with the following link:http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/developep/

Reponses must be received by 13th September 2002.