§ 44. Mr. Palmerasked the Paymaster-General what proportion of the research and development charges for the civil nuclear power programme is borne by public funds through the Atomic Energy Authority; and what proportion is allocated on the same commercial basis as that for coal and oil burning stations.
§ Mr. MaudlingAll expenditure on research and development incurred by the Atomic Energy Authority was originally borne from public funds, but it is intended that the expenditure attributable to the civil power programme should be recovered in due course in the form of royalties payable on the electricity stations and as part of the price charged for fuel elements. The Authority also recover the cost of its consulting services from the electricity boards.
§ Mr. PalmerWill the right hon. Gentleman agree that points such as this should be taken into account when determining a future fuel and power policy based on true rather than hypothetical costs?
§ Mr. MaudlingI agree. The hon. Member's Question raised an important point, and if he studies my Answer he will find that it covers the point satisfactorily.