§ 1. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what advances have been made in this country during the last three months towards developing the uses of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary for Science (Mr. Denzil Freeth)It is not useful, or, indeed possible to isolate progress in scientific fields into three-monthly periods. The steady progress which has been made is described in the Annual Reports of the Atomic Energy Authority. If the hon. and learned Member wishes to put down a Question on any specific aspect of the work I shall be glad to answer it.
§ Mr. HughesI thank the Minister for inviting me to put down a further Question, but does he realise that the appeal of science is as widespread as the desire of mankind for a settled peace? Will he state what steps he is taking to internationalise and co-ordinate Britain's scientific efforts with those of other 1110 nations in order to achieve the maximum benefit for mankind out of these efforts?
§ Mr. FreethThe United Kingdom has agreements with a number of countries, both East and West, for the exchange of scientific information on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. In addition, our representatives play a very full part in the work of the relevant international organisations, notably the International Atomic Energy Agency.
§ Mr. PeartWe agree that we can assess developments in this field only upon the basis of twelve-monthly reports, but can the Minister assure us that research into small power reactors is going on and is being speeded up?
§ Mr. FreethResearch into every kind of reactor is going on in this country, and the Atomic Energy Agency is principally concerned with the main reactor types, to which reference was made in the last Report.