§ 35. Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Transport whether he will now make a statement about the production of a nuclear propulsion reactor for a prototype British merchant vessel.
§ Mr. MarplesI cannot yet add to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 1st March.
§ Mr. WallIs my right hon. Friend aware that there have been a number of reports in the Press that he does not intend to go ahead with this project? Can he say when he will make a statement? Will he bear in mind that there is a strong body of opinion which believes that if we are to attain the technical "know-how" required to build up this new branch of the shipbuilding and engineering industries we must get practical experience at sea?
§ Mr. MarplesI cannot start confirming or denying newspaper reports, because the newspapers stated all manner of things and every possible combination and permutation of what might have happened. I cannot deny or confirm them all. I will promise to make a statement absolutely as soon as I possibly can.