§ 38. Mr. Brockwayasked the Minister of Transport what decision has been reached by the committee of experts on the replies to Her Majesty's Government's invitation to nuclear power companies to tender for marine reactor designs for the propulsion of merchant ships.
§ Mr. MarplesI cannot yet add to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 1st March.
§ Mr. BrockwayIs the Minister able to deny reports that this Committee has urged a postponement of the use of a British nuclear reactor in these merchant ships? Is he aware of the research which has been carried out over a long period in the industry into this matter? Does not he think that it would be a good thing that we should make and operate these instruments so as to gain the experience which may be very valuable in other directions overseas?
§ Mr. MarplesI can neither confirm nor deny the rumours that have appeared in the newspaper because I have not yet received the report. It has not been presented to me. I must wait until I get it before I can pronounce on it.