HC Deb 14 July 1966 vol 731 cc1695-6
16. Mr. Wall

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the development of nuclear propulsion for merchant ships.

The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. Roy Mason)

I have nothing to add to the Answer my right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology gave on this subject to the Hon. Member for Manchester, Moss Side (Mr. Frank Taylor) on 5th July.

Mr. Wall

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a growing volume of informed opinion believes that progress cannot be made until we can get a prototype ship at sea? Are the Government working towards this objective?

Mr. Mason

Not at the moment. There is no economic nuclear marine propulsion unit yet in sight, and it would not be worth while for the Government to expend money on such a project.

Dame Irene Ward

Does the hon. Gentleman recollect the pressure which was exercised on the Conservative Government by the present Government when they were the opposition in relation to this whole proposition? What has happened to make the lack of progress so apparent?

Mr. Mason

I am not aware that the then Opposition pressed on the Government the need for a nuclear ship.