§ 5. Mr. Gregoryasked the Minister of Technology what plans have been made to publicise and promote the achievements of the British nuclear power industry, with particular reference to the advanced gas-cooled reactor; what steps he proposes to take to advance and utilise the technological resources available; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CousinsThe British nuclear power programme is by far the world's 214 largest, both by its generating capacity and by the vast experience it has accumulated, and our overseas missions are doing their best to make these facts widely known.
Visits by overseas visitors to A.E.A. and C.E.G.B. installations are also encouraged; and the A.E.A. in collaboration with industry has participated in such important exhibitions as the recent one at Tokyo.
§ Mr. GregoryWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him whether he will take into account the fact that there is a very strong demand for his Ministry to combine its resources with those of the Atomic Energy Authority and the industry in order to make clear to the rest of the world what our achievements are in British nuclear power?
§ Mr. CousinsThat is quite so. The Atomic Energy Authority is working to improve further the advanced gas-cooled reactor and is actually assisting the British nuclear power industry with its commercial offers to other countries overseas.
§ Mr. HoggWould not the cost of large capital plant like the advanced gas-cooled reactor be greatly reduced if the Central Electricity Generating Board could be induced to issue repeat orders instead of asking for each station to be one-off?
§ Mr. CousinsThere is no doubt that if there were long runs at each station there would be a possibility of a reduction in cost. This subject is under review by the C.E.G.B. and the Atomic Energy Authority. In the experimental growth period it is necessary to seek the best form of energy creation.