Lords to hear evidence on priorities for nuclear research and technologies

The Committee will explore with the witnesses issues such as where the responsibility lies for ensuring the UK has a coherent and consistent long term policy for civil nuclear activities as well as how the nuclear sector might benefit from a ‘sector deal' as discussed in the Government's Industrial Strategy Green Paper.

At 10:40am the Committee will hear evidence from:

• Professor Grace Burke, Director of Materials Performance Centre, Manchester University
• Professor Mike Tynan, Chief Executive, Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre
• Dr Michael Bluck, Director of Centre for Nuclear Engineering, Imperial College London

Questions they are likely to face include:

• Is there sufficient co-ordination between the bodies involved in nuclear research and, if not, how should it be improved?
• What are your experiences of working with the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL)? Does it have an appropriately defined role and remit?
• Should the Government be focusing heavily on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)?
• Should the UK be involved in the development of Generation IV technology?

At 11:40am the Committee will hear evidence from:

•  Dr Rebecca Weston, Technical Director, Sellafield
• Mr David Orr, Senior Vice President, Future programmes and Technology, Rolls-Royce Nuclear
• Mr Tom Mundy, Executive Vice President–Program Development and Managing Director–UK & Europe, NuScale Power

Questions they are likely to face include:

• The Government's Industrial Strategy Green Paper discusses a possible ‘sector deal' for the nuclear sector. What might a deal usefully involve?
• Has the Government made clear its aims for SMR development and its policy approach?
• How will leaving Euratom affect the UK Nuclear Industry?
• Is the remit of the NNL suitable to provide research and development support to the UK nuclear sector?

The evidence session will take place in Committee room 4a on Tuesday 21 February in the House of Lords at 10:40 am.