HC Deb 04 December 1962 vol 668 c1123
16. Sir H. Legge-Bourke

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he will now add to paragraph 57 of the Eighth Annual Report of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority information regarding the building of a prototype fast reactor.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

I have nothing to add to my Answer to the hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason) on 5th November, 1962.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Has the expectation in paragraph 81 of the Report been fulfilled, namely, that Z.E.B.R.A., the zero energy reactor, would be critical in the second half of this year?

Mr. Freeth

I should like notice of that question; this Question deals with the prototype fast reactor.

Mr. Lee

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is great apprehension among employees of the A.E.A., many of them at Risley in my constituency, because they feel that not sufficient of a commercial nature is being done as defence orders contract?

Mr. Freeth

That is a very wide question which I attempted to answer in some degree in reply to an Adjournment debate initiated by my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) a few weeks ago.

Mr. Woodburn

Can the hon. Gentleman give us any information about how soon he will proceed with the development of the reactor station on a commercial basis?

Mr. Freeth

I cannot give the right hon. Gentleman any information other than is contained in the last Report of the Atomic Energy Authority.