§ 29. Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he can now say when he intends to reply to the recommendations of the Select Committee on Science and Technology in its First Report entitled "The Choice of a Reactor System" published on 29th January 1974.
§ Mr. VarleyI have written to the chairman of the Committee about the procedure and timing of the reply to this report.
§ Mr. PriceDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that the Select Committee's report is a useful corrective to the CEGB's apparent obsession with American light-water reactors? Will he make clear that the type of light-water reactor which can be bought "off the shelf" in the United States is neither large enough nor safe enough for use in this country?
§ Mr. VarleyThe Select Committee's report is a valuable one and will be taken into consideration, but the hon. Gentleman will know that there is to be a debate on this subject in the House on Thusday. On the question of safety, since that topic has been mentioned on a number of occasions during Question Time today, I must point out that no reactor system will be built or operated in this country unless its meets our own high safety standards.
§ Mr. PalmerI am obliged to my right hon. Friend for his courtesy in writing to me on this matter. Is he aware that there are one or two reports from Select Committees in the last Parliament which are still outstanding since the Conservative Government did not reply to them?
§ Mr. VarleyIf those reports fall within my responsibility, I shall certainly look into the point made by my hon. Friend.