§ 21. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now undertake to order a nuclear-powered fast replenishment tanker or other naval surface vessel, as soon as the Atomic Energy Authority have developed a satisfactory marine reactor.
§ Mr. HayI would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on this subject on 9th and 14th April.
§ Mr. DigbyIs there not hope that a suitable m nine reactor will soon be developed, and is it not important that we should get experience of it as soon as possible? If help were to come from other Votes, might it not be best if it were a naval ship?
§ Mr. HayAll these matters are under consideration in connection with the report of the Working Group and, as my right hon. friend said in answer to the Questions I have mentioned, we feel that the best thing is to get the right answer rather than to get a speedy one.