§ 1. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science how the actual performance of the Calder Hall and Chapelcross reactors of the Atomic Energy Authority compares with their planned performance.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary for Science (Mr. Denzil Freeth)Operating experience and advancing knowledge have resulted in a steady increase in the heat output of the reactors to about 20 per cent. beyond the original design figure. The point having now been reached at which more steam is being produced than can be converted into electricity, the turbines are being rebladed.
§ Mr. OsbornMay I ask my hon. Friend to indicate how this information compares with improvements in conventional power stations?
§ Mr. FreethThe difficulty here is that we are in the middle of the process of reblading the turbines. Therefore, we are not yet in a state of having reached the maximum production of electricity for which we hope.