HC Deb 14 April 1964 vol 693 cc229-30
Q1. Mr. Albu

asked the Prime Minister when he will announce the conclusions of the Government on the future of the Nuclear Power Programme, arising out of their studies of the Report of the Powell Committee.

Q2. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now make a statement on the Powell Report.

The Prime Minister (Sir Alec Douglas-Home)

A White Paper will be published tomorrow.

Mr. Albu

Is there any reason why the right hon. Gentleman should not give today the information for which we have been waiting several months? How much longer is the industry to be kept waiting in a state of insecurity about its future? Will he confirm the now very active reports that an American company is willing to supply nuclear power stations to this country at a price equivalent to that of a conventional power station?

The Prime Minister

It would be as well if the hon. Gentleman, and all of us, had a look at the White Paper tomorrow. There is no desire to slow things down, but the conclusion of the White Paper and the Committee is that there are a number of advanced reactors which are an improvement on anything we have had before. Before a final choice is made a little more experimentation is needed.