§ 24. Mr. Crouchasked the Minister of Technology, in view of the symposium to be held in London this month, what progress has been made with the Dragon type reactor at Winfrith Heath; whether he will make a statement on his plans for a high-temperature development; if the Atomic Energy Authority will now sell know-how on a royalty basis and supply capital equipment for commercial high temperature reactors of this type; and if he will estimate the weight and approximate value at present prices of uranium 233 manufactured from thorium that it is planned to produce over the next five years.
§ Mr. ShoreThe Dragon high-temperature reactor is an experimental project in which 12 European countries are successfully collaborating. The reactor reached its full power of 20 thermal megawatts on 24th April, 1966. Plans for the development of the reactor system must await further technical progress. The Atomic Energy Authority informs me that it would be prepared to negotiate for the supply of know-how, design and patent rights. Supply of capital equipment would be a matter for industry. It is not planned to produce uranium 233 for sale.