§ 22. Mr. Eadieasked the Minister of Technology what is his estimate of the extent to which Great Britain is ahead in research for rapid reactors compared with other countries; and what discussions have been held with other European governments about technological co-operation in this field.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuWith the possible exception of the Russian reactor at Shevchenko the United Kingdom's prototype fast reactor at Dounreay will be first in operation by several years. The only other prototype under construction is in France, where work has just commenced. These reactors are all sodium-cooled. The United Kingdom is engaged in discussion in the European Nuclear Energy Agency as to the possibility of joint European study of the gas-cooled fast reactor.
§ Mr. EadieI thank my hon. Friend for his reply, and I am sure he will agree that a clear statement needs to be made about the export potential. Is he aware that many of us who are interested in atomic energy matters are not very impressed by the export achievement in this area in the past, and has he a comment to make on this?
§ Mr. MallalieuYes, I have a comment. I do not think that the performance has been particularly impressive, and that is one reason why certain changes are being made in the organisation.
§ Mr. David PriceWill not the Minister agree that the fast breeder reactor programme can be justified on domestic reasons alone, and that the export benefits are extra to the sound domestic reasons for going for a reactor that is cheaper than any other source of the generation of power?
§ Mr. MallalieuThere are some domestic reasons for this programme, but the export side is important too.