§ 10. Mr. David Huntasked the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions have taken place between his Department and Rolls-Royce on the development of barge-mounted mobile nuclear reactors.
§ Mr. Norman LamontRolls-Royce discussed its proposal for the development of a barge-mounted mobile nuclear reactor with my officials in the first part of 1980. The company subsequently decided, for commercial reasons, not to proceed with its proposal.
§ Mr. HuntBearing in mind the pioneering work of Rolls-Royce in this important area, will my hon. Friend press the Commission to analyse the needs of the ACP and member States for local and regional electricity generating capacity of up to 200 megawatts, with a view to reducing their heavy dependence on oil as a result of this alternative energy source?
§ Mr. LamontI shall certainly examine what my hon. Friend has said. I do not immediately see the connection with Rolls-Royce, but at the next meeting of the Council I shall bear in mind what my hon. Friend has said.
§ Sir Anthony MeyerIf European money can be used for a project of that sort, is that not precisely the way in which the Community can contribute towards the development of the Third world, which has specific needs in this regard?
§ Mr. LamontWe shall bear that in mind and consider taking it up at European level. So far as I know, the project was not put to us specifically on the basis of its being a European project. It was one for development in this country. Discussions took place on whether the British Government could support it. As I have explained, the company felt that it was not a viable scheme.