HC Deb 22 December 1964 vol 704 cc1023-4
1. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Joint Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science, as representing the Minister of Technology, what progress has been made in the development of the Vulcain reactor; and what has been the share of the cost borne by the Atomic Energy Authority.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. James Boyden)

Basic engineering and physics work forming part of the programme of research and development into the Vulcain reactor is now almost complete and a Vulcain-type core will be loaded in the Belgian experimental reactor, BR3, in mid-1965, for irradiation to high burn-up. The cost borne to date by the Atomic Energy Authority is approximately £1.6 million.

Mr. Digby

Does this mean that any difficulties in the development of this reactor have now been overcome?

Mr. Boyden

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Marples

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that at this stage of the development of the Vulcain reactor the only way to make further progress is to build an actual ship, and will he say which Minister is responsible for the building of a ship? Is it the Minister of Technology, the Minister of Transport or the President of the Board of Trade?

Mr. Boyden

I would have thought that the right hon. Gentleman would have known the answer to that question.

Mr. Marples

I put a perfectly serious question to the hon. Gentleman. My knowledge of the Vulcain is that the only way in which we shall make progress is by the actual building of a ship. I was asking the hon. Gentleman if he agreed with that or not and which Minister was responsible for the building of a ship—was it the Minister of Technology, the President of the Board of Trade or the Minister of Transport?

Mr. Boyden

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put down that question.

Mr. Marples

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I think that this flows from the original Question put down by my hon. Friend. It is relevant to the original Question, and I think that the hon. Gentleman should treat the House with more courtesy.

Mr. Speaker

The right hon. Gentleman addressed me on a point of order. None arises. I cannot make the Minister answer if he does not want to.

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