§ 12. Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Transport when he will announce the award of a tender for the construction of the first British nuclear-powered merchant ship.
§ Mr. MarplesI regret that I am not yet in a position to forecast when a decision will be reached.
§ Mr. WallWhen will my right hon. Friend be able to reach a decision? Is he aware that there is a suspicion that the Atomic Energy Authority and its advisers are dragging their feet in this matter and that several nations will have ships at sea before we can possibly do so? Is he aware that any further delay may have grave repercussions on our future as a shipbuilding nation and even as a maritime Power?
§ Mr. MarplesThis is a very complicated matter. Not only the Atomic Energy Authority is on this technical committee; there are shipbuilders, shipowners and Lloyd's Register. None of them has complained that the Atomic Energy Authority is dragging its feet. I can assure my hon. Friend that that is not so.