HC Deb 01 July 1957 vol 572 cc674-5
26. Mr. Palmer

asked the Paymaster-General what modifications have been made to the nuclear power programme since March of this year.

Mr. Maudling

There has been no change in the programme announced on 5th March.

Mr. Palmer

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the statement made by his noble Friend that there have been modifications in the nuclear power programme, a statement made in public in London on 26th June? I take it that the right hon. Gentleman is in touch with his noble Friend in the other place.

Mr. Maudling

Yes, constantly. The fact is that the programme as announced to the House set a figure for the total amount of electricity to be generated. It did not specify an exact number of stations, though I think we did, in public statements, say that it might be 19. It may well be, with the increase in size of individual stations, that the number needed for the 6,000 megawatt programme will be less than 19. It is really impossible to say at the moment.