Fast Breeder Reactor Power Station

HC Deb 28 May 1963 vol 678 cc1109-10

26. Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what progress has been made with the fast breeder reactor power station.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

The power of the experimental fast reactor at Dounreay was raised from 30 MW to 35 MW (thermal) during the last operating period. The Atomic Energy Authority informs me that it hopes shortly to raise the power still further.

Mr. Osborn

Can my hon. Friend indicate when we can expect a commercial power station on this basis?

Mr. Freeth

I think that it will be necessary to build a prototype power-producing reactor that is large enough to demonstrate that the engineering and scientific problems have been successfully overcome. The Authority is investigating the feasibility of this, and will doubtless ask Her Majesty's Government to authorise the building of such a station when it has its plan ready.

Mr. Ross

Will the Parliamentary Secretary explain to his hon. Friend the Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne) that when Scotland gets the oportunity, as at Dounreay, it can make a very good job of these things?

Mr. Speaker

It is not the job of the Minister to give explanations to one of his hon. Friends.