§ 9. Mr. Willeyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has yet received information about the potentialities of the advanced gas cooled reactor for propulsion of merchant shipping.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithThe Admiralty Committee under my chairmanship will have this information before it at its next meeting, which is to be held on Tuesday, 5th May.
§ Mr. WilleyI am much obliged to the Civil Lord. Will he ensure that an announcement is made as soon as possible in view of the apprehension which is felt in the light of developments that are taking place in other countries?
§ Mr. GalbraithI shall certainly make an announcement as soon as possible, but I do not want to encourage the House to expect one in the immediate future.
§ 17. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty to what extent Her Majesty's Government are making use of research, now proceeding on Tyneside, into nuclear propulsion for shipping.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithA design study of propulsion machinery to match a nuclear reactor for use in a ship has been undertaken on Tyneside.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopDoes the Civil Lord realise that there is some feeling that the Admiralty are proceeding on too narrow a basis for this work? Will he consider further work and the possibility of constructing a further experimental craft to see more clearly what the possibilities are?
§ Mr. GalbraithI do not think the Admiralty can be accused of working on a narrow front when we have had schemes provided by no fewer than seven firms.
§ Mr. P. WilliamsIs it not a fact that the by now well-known Galbraith Committee is doing a considerable amount in co-ordinating this work, not only on Tyneside but at all yards, and that shipyards and builders are taking part in this extremely valuable work?
§ Mr. GalbraithI think that is a correct assessment of the situation.