§ 50. Mr. Warbeyasked the Prime Minister to what extent the amended agreement with the United States of America on co-operation in the use of atomic energy for defence purposes will involve an increase in the planned output of plutonium from British atomic power stations.
§ The Prime MinisterBritish nuclear power stations will be operated first and foremost to generate electricity and their output of the by-product plutonium will depend directly on the amount of electricity generated. The plutonium production of the reactors will be unaffected by the Agreement with the United States.
§ Mr. WarbeyDoes that mean that the Prime Minister can give a definite assurance that there is no question of there being any modification of design of atomic power stations in order to produce a greater proportion of plutonium than electrical output?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. We have already installed certain ancillary plant in the first power stations which now exist. Any plutonium which we may exchange with the Americans will come either from the civil nuclear power 1427 stations or from the Atomic Energy Authority's own reactors at Calder Hall or Chapel Cross.