HC Deb 21 February 1977 vol 926 cc1018-9
10. Mr. John H. Osborn

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if, following the inability of the Council of Ministers of the EEC to reach a decision on the siting of the Joint European Torus project, he will now put forward plans, in co-operation with members of the International Energy Agency, and other nations, to develop a British-based fusion programme on the existing facilities and team at Culham.

Mr. Benn

The fusion research programme of the International Energy Agency is led, by invitation of the members, by the European Atomic Energy Community, whose own programme includes all fusion work at Culham. We now chair the EEC Council of Ministers and are continuing bilateral discussions on JET with our Community partners with the intention of calling a Research Council as soon as progress appears possible.

Mr. Osborn

I welcome the fact that the Minister has met the Energy Committee of the European Parliament in what was a successful visit, but is he not aware that there has been some confusion at ministerial level between Ministers of Energy, Industry and Science? Has he studied the report of the Select Committee of the other place and the view of Lord Hinton and Lord Ironside about the virtues of Culham as a site? Whatever the decision, whether it is Garching or Culham, will the right hon. Gentleman agree that work should continue at whatever place is not chosen for the JET project? What constructive proposals can he put forward to the Council of Ministers?

Mr. Benn

The latter point is not at issue. Work on fusion at Culham has been going on since 1955. As Minister for Technology I had responsibility for that for a long period. There is no confusion over this matter. Two Councils of Ministers have been set up within the European Communities—the Research Council that is chaired by the Minister of State, Department of Industry, and the Energy Council that I chair.

In respect of JET, we are pressing the British case very hard, both privately and publicly. I should normally expect to be present at the Research Council, though I would not chair it, to ensure that the other Ministers recognise the strength of the case for JET at Culham and that they recognise that it merits their support.

Mr. Forman

Is nuclear fusion regarded by the Minister's Department as an alternative energy source, in the normal language of debate, or as part of the nuclear programme for future years? If the latter, does the Minister see any financial conflict between going ahead with the large cost of the CFR1 and, at the same time, trying to go ahead with the expensive fusion project?

Mr. Benn

It is difficult to know how to balance the two. I have heard the argument that the fusion programme may be able to generate electricity much earlier than was previously thought and that it will be the turn of the century before the fast breeders become operational on the present basis. It is, therefore, possible that the balance between the two in competing for resources might become a factor. It is right that we should fund JET in order to advance what appears to be a more environmentally acceptable system for generating electricity.