§ 42. Mr. Maclennanasked the Minister of Technology what was the value in sterling of research work undertaken under contract by the Atomic Energy Authority in the Dounreay fast reactor in 1967, 1968 and 1969.
§ Dr. Ernest A. DaviesThe income earned from undertaking irradiation of materials in the Dounreay fast reactor in the calendar years 1967, 1968 and 1969 was £160,000, £210,000 and £860,000 respectively. In addition, a further £40,000 was earned in 1969 from post-irradiation examination work. This income was all in foreign currency.
§ Mr. MaclennanWill my hon. Friend agree that this has been a most useful exercise by public enterprise in helping our export drive and can he give any prognosis? Does he expect that the work will continue, or that international competition may reduce its volume?
§ Dr. DaviesI am grateful to my hon. Friend. This is certainly an example of public enterprise going into a new market and being very successful in penetrating it and developing its potential. The figures for the earlier years were depressed by the shut-down of the reactor for leak testing, but the present figures for this year show an increase that we hope will continue.
§ 43. Mr. Maclennanasked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the progress of the work on the prototype fast reactor at Dounreay.
§ Dr. Ernest A. DaviesProgress is continuing satisfactorily, and this suggests it should be possible to complete the P.F.R. by the end of 1971, and the reactor should be on power by the end of 1972.
§ Mr. MaclennanCan my hon. Friend say for how long he expects it will be necessary to retain the Dounreay fast reactor in commission to back up the work on the prototype?
§ Dr. DaviesI am afraid that I could not give an estimate of that period of time without prior notice.