§ 48. Mr. Mossasked the Lord Privy Seal what progress has been made in making available a supply of enriched fuel for use in prototype nuclear reactors of medium size designed specially for export purposes.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerDevelopment of the type of reactor mentioned in the Question has not yet reached a sufficiently advanced stage for a prototype to be built. The question of supply of enriched fuel does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. MossIs it not a fact that the medium-sized reactor may have a large part to play in the export field? May I urge upon the right hon. Gentleman to consider the publication of a White Paper to be called "Nuclear Power and the Export Trade"? That seems to many of us to be very important?
§ Mr. ButlerThis is naturally a very important matter, and I will discuss it with my noble Friend, but I think it would be premature to take the action which the hon. Member desires.
§ Mr. CallaghanWill the right hon. Gentleman also discuss with his noble Friend the question of the amount of enriched fuel and the number of scientists and technologists now engaged on defence purposes in this sphere; and, in view of the fact that we probably have already sufficient material for several score of these bombs, whether it is not time to move over a little more into the field of making possible the building of these stations more quickly and the supply of enriched fuel to them?
§ Mr. ButlerThe hon. Member asks me to discuss this with my noble Friend, and I will certainly do that in the light of the question which he has just asked.