HC Deb 02 November 1955 vol 545 cc997-8
2. Major Wall

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what progress is being made in providing nuclear propulsion for warships.

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

Investigations into the use of atomic propulsion in Her Majesty's ships are proceeding satisfactorily, although some years must elapse before a warship powered in this way can be expected to be in service with the Fleet.

Major Wall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many people feel that not only the future of the Royal Navy but that of the Merchant Navy is bound up in the question of nuclear propulsion? Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that this development is receiving highest priority and that we are not falling behind the United States, as would appear from newspaper reports?

Mr. Thomas

I assure my hon. and gallant Friend that we are pushing on with this as a question of highest priority. Of course, the United States had a three-year start on these matters, but we are making up time as best we can.