The Government is rushing into the construction of a new generation of nuclear power stations, MPs have warned.

As the Government prepares to publish the results of its Energy Review today, the Commons Trade and Industry Committee accused ministers of promising a full debate on nuclear power - when it had already made up its mind.

The cross-party committee, chaired by Worcestershire MP Peter Luff (Con Mid Worcestershire) urged the Government to ensure it has "broad political and public support" for its policy before going ahead with potentially farreaching decisions.

And it warned that public support for new atomic power plants will not be achieved unless it is part of a wider strategy which also encourages renewables and energy efficiency.

The inquiry also included J ulie Kirkbride (Con Bromsgrove) and Rob Marris (Lab Wolverhampton South West). Nuclear energy should not be given "preferential treatment" from Government subsidies, said the committee's report.

Instead, a "stable long-term carbon pricing" regime should be introduced to encourage investors to put their money into low- or zero-carbon technologies, which do not add to the problem of climate change.

Reports have suggested today's Government energy review will conclude that nuclear power is now viable and should play a role in meeting Britain's future energy needs alongside a fivefold expansion in "renewables" - such as solar and wind power.

The Department of Trade and Industry is reported to be planning six modern nuclear power stations, each capable of generating 1.6 gigawatts of power.

At the same time the review will set out proposals to raise the proportion of electricity generated through renewables from four per cent to 20 per cent.

Mr Luff, said: "It is vital that the Government's energy policy is based on a full consideration of the evidence and has broad political and public support - otherwise, we risk repeating the mistakes of the past. However, the Govern-ment's Energy Review risks being seen as little more than a rubber-stamping exercise for a decision the Prime Minister took some time ago."