HC Deb 27 January 1960 vol 616 cc167-9
37. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now make a statement on the provision of a prototype nuclear-powered merchant ship.

65. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now decided to place an order for a nuclear ship.

Mr. Marples

The Government have accepted the recommendation of the Galbraith Committee that tenders should be invited from selected firms for two types of nuclear reactor with propelling machinery for installation in a tanker of 65,000 tons deadweight. These types are the boiling water reactor and the organic liquid moderated reactor.

Preparation of tenders is likely to take some months. When they have been received and considered the Government will decide whether an order should be placed for building a nuclear-powered ship. Its construction is likely to take some four or five years.

Mr. Wall

Does my right hon. Friend recall that about a year ago there was an exhibition, attended by many hon. Members of the House, where eight different types of reactor were displayed? Is it not a fact that at that time the firms constructing at least the boiling water reactors were ready to start on this work? Why, then, such delay with the Galbraith Committee, and why should we still have to wait several months before an order can be placed? My right hon. Friend has shown enormous energy over telephones, Pink Zones, and so on, so could he address himself with similar energy to this problem—[Hon. MEMBERS: "Speech."]—on which the position of Britain as the premier maritime Power could well depend?

Mr. Marples

I can assure my hon. Friend that there has been no delay. These tenders have been placed fairly quickly since the new Government came into power. The extraordinary fact in this sphere is the way technical developments are taking place. It is difficult to decide when to go into production because of the different types of reactors which can be ordered.

Mr. Rankin

The right hon. Gentleman has said that tenders will be invited from selected firms. Can he tell us which the selected firms are?

Mr. Marples

There is a later Question on the Order Paper dealing with that subject.

Mr. Short

In case that Question is not reached, could the right hon. Gentleman tell us how many Tyneside firms have been selected to tender? The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that the unemployment on Tyneside in this industry is the highest in the country.

Mr. Marples

In deference to the hon. Member who has put down the Question, I really must wait until it is reached.

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

52. Dame IRENE WARD

To ask the Minister of Transport from which firms he has invited tenders for a reactor for installing in a prototype ship for experimental use in the marine application of nuclear power.

Mr. Speaker

Dame Irene Ward.

Mr. Rankin

On a point of order. In reply to supplementary questions from the other side of the House and from myself a few minutes ago, the right hon. Gentleman said that he proposed to reply to our inquiries on a Question that was to follow. We have reached that Question. The hon. Member is absent. Will the Minister, therefore, make a statement as he promised?

Mr. Speaker

I have called the Question. The Minister could have answered the earlier supplementary question if he had wished to do so.

Mr. Short

As the hon. Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) is not here and this information is of considerable importance to the members of the shipbuilding industry, may I ask the Question?

Mr. Speaker

I cannot allow the hon. Member to do that.

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