§ Q1. Mr. Bishopasked the Prime Minister if he will make a further statement on recent progress towards European technical collaboration.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave on 1st February to Questions by him and by my hon. Friend the Member for Faversham (Mr. Boston).—[Vol. 757, c.404.]
§ Mr. BishopDoes my right hon. Friend realise that European Governments welcome the idea of greater technical co-operation, but they look forward to detailed plans from us? Will he publicise such ideas as he has?
§ The Prime MinisterWe intend to do so. The first broad ideas were set out in a speech at Guildhall last November. We have made it clear that real technical collaboration involves participation in one single undivided market. But ideas such as the European Technological Institute and others are being worked out and will be discussed with Europe.
§ Mr. LubbockHas the Prime Minister noticed the recent announcement by the Nuclear Power Group of a co-operative agreement with companies in Belgium, Italy and Germany for the development of high temperature reactors? Is he aware that if the C.E.G.B. placed an order for a high temperature reactor for its new station at Hartlepools, it would be very helpful in enabling the company to exploit this technology in Europe?
§ The Prime MinisterThat raises far wider issues than that covered by this Question. Certainly I have always felt and have said often in Europe that nuclear co-operation is one of the most hopeful types of technical collaboration for Europe.