§ 12. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Technology how many foreign orders for nuclear power stations have been obtained in the last year; and for what type of reactor.
Mr. Alan WilliamsOnly three nuclear power stations have been ordered, outside their own countries, during the past year. None of these orders went to the United Kingdom, but a number of firm projects are being actively pursued.
§ Mr. DigbyI recognise the great success of the Magnox type of reactor, but is not its high initial cost a very serious bar to sales overseas, and would not more sales overseas be of great benefit to the country?
Mr. WilliamsThe hon. Gentleman is right to say that more sales would be highly beneficial, but the Magnox is one part of the stage of evolving a new technology and it may be that more success can be achieved with some of the newer projects than with some of the older.
§ Mr. PalmerHas my hon. Friend's Department studied the relevant recommendations of the Select Committee on Science and Technology in its Second Report, which is now issued? May we have the observations of the Department fairly soon?
Mr. WilliamsNaturally, the Department will be considering the recommendations and the information will be available as quickly as possible.