§ Q6. Dame Irene Wardasked the Prime Minister what arrangements he has made to co-ordinate the policies of the Minister of Transport and the Minister for Science on the merchant ship to be propelled by nuclear power; and what action Her Majesty's Government proposes to take to implement recent statements of policy.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Working Group on Marine Reactor Research reports jointly to the Minister for Science and the Minister of Transport, both of whose Departments are represented on the Group. A statement on the Government's future policy will be made as soon as Ministers have considered the report by the Working Group which is expected shortly.
§ Dame Irene WardMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that the statements made by various Ministers over a period have been most encouraging? Can my right hon. Friend explain why, when the Ministers were so definite, there has been a retreat? Is this due to deliberate policy to hold 1186 back? Is it that there is no money left for atomic research to continue the investigation into this matter? What has happened to prevent the Ministers' prognostications—including my right hon. Friend's predecessor—from being put into effect?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that the answer to my hon. Friend is that I should like to know the facts—all the facts—before taking a decision.