§ 15. Mr. Awberyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that plans have been completed for some time for the construction in Japan of a tanker of 80,000 tons to be powered by a pressurised water reactor and a 20,000-ton atomic-powered liner; if he is satisfied that British shipyards are planning their work with similar foresight so that this country can be in a position to compete in the world's markets in the future; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithI am aware that preliminary plans have been drawn up in Japan, but I have no information that work on an economic ship has yet been started there. British shipbuilders are represented on the committee, of which I am chairman, and are actively concerned in studying the problem of how to get an economic nuclear propelled ship to sea.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the hon. Gentleman not aware of the very serious position into which the shipbuilding industry is falling? Now that we are in third position instead of being the first in the world and the largest ships on the stocks are being built by Japan, it appears that we are to lose our lead on the technical and scientific side. Will the hon. Gentleman look at this and see what can be done to improve our position?
§ Mr. GalbraithThis matter is under my personal review because I am chairman of the committee looking into nuclear propulsion for ships, but I could not accept the view of the hon. Member 427 that the British shipbuilding industry is not aware of the position and doing all it can to improve it.
§ Mr. G. R. HowardCan my hon. Friend give any date when there is a likelihood of an atomic-powered engine suitable for tankers or merchant ships having sea trials?
§ Mr. GalbraithI should not like to go further than what I said in the Navy Estimates debate last year.
§ Mr. SteeleCould the hon. Gentleman say whether his committee has yet come to any decision as to what type of reactor would be most suitable for further development?
§ Mr. GalbraithNot yet, Sir.