HC Deb 22 December 1964 vol 704 cc1027-8
6. Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Joint Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science, as representing the Minister of Technology, whether he has now considered the construction of a high output pilot power station using a fast breeder reactor; and whether he proposes to locate this at Dounreay.

9. Mr. George Y. Mackie

asked the Joint Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science, as representing the Minister of Technology, if he is aware of the need for urgency in arriving at a decision on the building and siting of the prototype fast reactor; and when he will give his decision.

Mr. Boyden

The decision to proceed with a prototype fast reactor must await the outcome of the current development programme based on the experimental reactor at Dounreay and particularly on the design of the fuel. It will be some time before the Authority will be in a position to submit a proposal to the Government.

Mr. Osborn

Is the Under-Secretary aware that there are many who will be disappointed with this progress? Some of us had the privilege of visiting this establishment some fifteen months ago and we had hoped by now to have had positive proposals for a pilot project to take advantage of some very valuable experiments and research which have already been carried out.

Mr. Boyden

I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman is disappointed. There is still considerable work to be done before the site is decided upon and the development takes place. It is not likely that the Atomic Energy Authority will be in a position to submit plans until the end of next year.

Mr. Marples

May I again ask the Under-Secretary which Minister will be in charge of this fast breeder reactor? Will it be the Minister of Technology or the Minister of Power?

Mr. Boyden

Presumably, if the Bill which is now before the House is expedited and passed, it will be the Minister of Technology.

Mr. Mackie

When the Minister is making his decision, will he take into account social factors arising in the north of Scotland and also the technical factors, in that there are assembled there a team which has been already extremely successful in leading the world in the production of an experimental fast reactor?

Mr. Boyden

Yes, Sir. The Government are very conscious of the social and economic needs of the north of Scotland, and these will be an important factor to be considered in coming to a decision.

Mr. Dalyell

Why cannot the Minister tell us definitely that, if we are to go ahead with the prototype fast breeder reactor, it will certainly be at Dounreay and not at alternative sites?

Mr. Boyden

There are more considerations to it than the social and economic ones, but these are extremely important. The scientific considerations also will come into this in a very important way.

Mr. Peyton

Referring back to the question asked by my right hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Mr. Marples), will whichever Minister is in charge of this project ensure that the views of the Central Electricity Generating Board, which is after all the sole operator, are fully considered and given the prominence they deserve?

Mr. Boyden

I would prefer the hon. Gentleman to table a Question on that.