Britain must face up to the need for new nuclear power stations or be held hostage by energy suppliers in Eastern Europe and Russia, a Birmingham MP has warned.
Khalid Mahmood (Lab Perry Barr) delivered the warning as the Government made a long-awaited announcement confirming plans to build an unlimited number of nuclear facilities.
But at least two of Birmingham's Labour MPs have strong doubts about the decision.
Lynne Jones (Lab Selly Oak) has signed a Commons motion insisting "the case for new nuclear power stations has not been made" and highlighting "the risks and costs of nuclear power, in terms of waste disposal, decommissioning, security and health concerns".
And Richard Burden (Lab Northfield) last night said: "I still have very big concerns. We don't know exactly what the economic costs will be, and we don't know how we are going to dispose of nuclear waste."
Business Secretary John Hutton told the Commons he hoped the first new nuclear power station would be completed "well before" 2020. It would be for the energy companies to fund, develop and build the new plants, including meeting the full costs of decommissioning, he said.
"Giving the go ahead today that new nuclear power should play a role in providing the UK with clean, secure and affordable energy is in our country's vital long term interest.
"I therefore invite energy companies to bring forward plans to build and operate new nuclear power stations."
The Commons announcement was greeted by muted cheers from the Tory benches but stony silence from Labour.
No decisions have been made about where new power stations should be built, but most are expected to be on the sites of existing nuclear facilities which are being decommissioned.
Mr Mahmood said: "Gas companies in Eastern Europe and Russia can hold us hostage because we depend on them to keep our lights on.
"That has got to change. And renewable energy, wind and wave power isn't reliable or efficient enough to supply our needs."
Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming (Lib Dem Yardley) claimed the Government was neglecting "renewable" energy sources such as wind and wave power.
He also called on Ministers to encourage "microgeneration", in which householders generate their own electricity using rooftop wind panels or similar devices, and sell it back to the national grid.
Mr Hutton will face the thorny issue of dealing with nuclear waste later this year, when the Government publishes a White Paper on storing waste underground.
Conservatives welcomed the Govern-ment's commitment to nuclear power but warned that new power stations should be paid for by the private firms and not the taxpayer.
Spokesman Alan Duncan said: "Our vision on nuclear is clear. We must refine the planning system, we must have a price for carbon to establish a long term climate for investment, we must ensure there is clarity on waste and decommissioning."
Conservationists expressed dismay but businesses leaders welcomed the announcement as a boost to the economy.
David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce said: "To remain economically competitive, we must be able to ensure a consistent and affordable supply of power reaches our businesses so that they can carry on creating wealth for the British economy."
>Nuclear decision cautiously welcomed by business