HC Deb 18 October 1966 vol 734 c13
15. Mr. Webster

asked the Minister of Technology what approaches have been made to his Department by the nuclear engineering companies regarding assistance towards obtaining export contracts; and what assistance his Department has given.

Mr. Benn

Approaches for assistance in respect of particular export orders are normally directed to the Atomic Energy Authority, which provides technical support and consultancy as well as supplying nuclear fuel.

Mr. Webster

As the hon. Member for Orpington (Mr. Lubbock) said, the A.G.R. is now highly competitive and very much the most advanced method. Would it not be of the greatest help to exporters to change the period of amortisation from 20 years to 30 years?

Mr. Benn

It is true that the A.G.R. which we make is something in which we believe, which we intend to use, and which we mean to sell. All the resources of the A.E.A., B.N.X. and my Department are directed to making the benefits of the system more widely known abroad.