§ The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:
§ 45. Sir H. LEGGE-BOURKETO ask the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement about the state of 1374 national security at the steam generating heavy water prototype reactor at Winfrith Heath.
§ The Minister of Technology (Mr. Anthony Wedgwood Benn)With permission, Mr. Speaker, I would now like to answer Question No. 45.
The Atomic Energy Authority has set up a Board of Inquiry to ascertain the causes and extent of the damage recently found in the steam generating heavy water reactor under construction at Winfrith. The police have also been called in.
No question of military security arises.
§ Sir H. Legge-BourkeI appreciate very much the arrangements that have been made for this Question to be answered orally this afternoon. First, will the Minister convey to all at Winfrith Heath the very great appreciation of all those who have visited Winfrith of their work; and of the dedicated nature of the approach made to the whole problem by those working there for the Atomic Energy Authority?
Secondly, can he say whether this damage has ocurred in the calandria and, if so—that being one of the most inaccessible parts of the reactor—how great will be the delay before the reactor is commissioned?
§ Mr. BennI am grateful to the hon. and gallant Gentleman for what he has said about those who work at Winfrith Heath, who have been very distressed to find that their work has been set back in this way.
As to his technical question, it is true that this condition first came to light when corrosion in the calandria was identified. This does, as he knows, involve some complexity of approach. The work is going on, and as it has been ahead of schedule it is hoped that the completion of the cleansing and repair operations will not prejudice the original timetable.