HC Deb 02 July 1964 vol 697 cc1528-30
17. Dr. Dickson Mabon

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now make a statement on the recommendations of the Padmore Report on marine nuclear propulsion.

50. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has now studied the official report on marine reactor research; and if he will make a statement on Government policy towards the possible courses of action proposed by the working group.

Sir E. Boyle

I cannot yet add to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) on 18th June or to that given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport yesterday to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall).

Dr. Mabon

Is not that a very disappointing Answer? Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that since his right hon. and learned Friend in the last debate on this subject bolstered his argument by using the Padmore Report, which had not then been published, opinion on his own side has joined the Opposition in feeling that the Government must make some decision about this soon? Is it not perfectly reasonable to ask the Minister to make a statement before the House rises at the end of July?

Sir E. Boyle

I was prepared to answer in reply to supplementary questions that this Report was submitted to Ministers at the beginning of April. On all accounts, this is a difficult problem in which the issues are well-balanced. The Government obviously want to base their decision on all the relevant considerations, but my right hon. and learned Friend would hope that it would be possible to announce a decision before the Summer Recess.

Mr. Willey

I am obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for what he has just said, promising a decision before the Summer Recess. Will he also promise that the House will have an opportunity to discuss the matter before the House rises?

Sir E. Boyle

I was careful to say on behalf of my right hon. and learned Friend that I would hope that it would be possible. It is our hope and intention if at all possible to announce the decision before the Summer Recess, but a debate is clearly a matter for the usual channels and the Leader of the House.

Mr. J. H. Osborn

Would my right hon. Friend take into consideration the fact that an experiment to prove or disprove various theories would be a very great advantage in the future? Practice is much better than theory.

Sir E. Boyle

I see my hon. Friend's point. There is, frankly, a good deal of money at stake here. This is a major decision one way or the other. I can say that my right hon. and learned Friend will fully bear in mind the concern of both sides of the House that the House should have an opportunity of considering this matter once again before we rise.

Mr. Willey

The right hon. Gentleman has expressed a hope. Would he give an undertaking that the Government will make a statement before the House rises?

Sir E. Boyle

I am sure that my right hon. and learned Friend will consider it. I would prefer not to go further this afternoon. I hope I have made it plain that my right hon. and learned Friend understands the importance the House attaches to this.