Institutional adaptation in the UK nuclear technology industry

Public inquiries into controversial development proposals have themselves become increasing controversial in recent years. Despite their increasing length and cost, such proceedings remain part of the administrative process - the Inspector's report serving to 'inform the minister's mind'. This paper examines certain features of the Sizewell B Inquiry and draws attention to the ability of the applicants to respond to criticisms raised at the hearings through various forms of institutional adaptation. Changes to the Central Electricity Generating Board's case on the organization of project management, to the management of the nuclear site licensing process, and to provisions for future nuclear reactor choice are highlighted. Significantly, each of these areas had been the subject of particular investigations undertaken at the behest of the inquiry Inspector. The paper concludes by raising a number of questions concerning the implications of this singularly interactive process. (author)