HL Deb 22 December 1976 vol 378 cc1306-8

11.22 a.m.

The Earl of LAUDERDALE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make a statement on the EEC negotiations about the site of the JET (Power by Fusion) Project following Herr Guido Brunner's statement in Brussels on 20th December.

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, no official text of Dr. Brunner's statement of 20th December has yet been made available. The Research Council planned for 20th December to consider JET was cancelled last Friday because the President judged that there was no chance of agreement this year. The United Kingdom assumes the presidency of the Council on 1st January and will continue to seek agreement on the project and its site as a matter of urgency.

The Earl of LAUDERDALE

My Lords, in thanking the noble Lord for that reply, and particularly for his assurance that the Government regard this as a matter of very great urgency, could he say whether there is any reason to suppose that our French allies and partners have a hand in this troublesome situation?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, it was not the United Kingdom. Dr. Brunner did not disclose the identity of the odd man out.

Lord WYNNE-JONES

My Lords, can my noble friend tell us whether it is still the firm intention of Her Majesty's Government to press for JET to be sited at Culham? Can he also say whether there have been offers made to the present JET design team as a whole to go to America?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, we shall certainly continue to press for Culham, which we believe to be much the best site. With regard to the offers made to the JET design team, I am advised that no formal offers have been received by the United Kingdom members of the team. I am afraid I have no information for my noble friend on the other members of the team.

Lord HAWKE

My Lords, would the noble Lord say how much it would cost us per annum to go it alone?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I have not got that information, because this is a Community project.

Lord HANKEY

My Lords, would the noble Lord say whether it is feasible, if we cannot get agreement, for us to "go it alone" with everybody except the odd man out?—I think we all know who it is.

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, we had hoped that agreement on siting might have been reached on Monday. In preparation for the Planning Council, the President had held consultations with all the Member States. We had given him an undertaking that we would not veto any site which had received the support of all our partners; but it would seem that not all Members were able to give a similar assurance.

Lord KINGS NORTON

My Lords, in view of the fact that there is likely to be a long period of uncertainty, could the noble Lord say whether special efforts will be made to keep the design team together?

Lord STRABOLGI

Certainly, my Lords. The Community Fusion Laboratories are currently arranging an extension of the JET design agreements which will enable the JET design team to remain together for a further six months. Noble Lords will be aware that the Council have agreed to the expenditure of four million units of account to enable the team to continue work, pending a decision on the JET site.

The Earl of LAUDERDALE

My Lords, could the noble Lord help us in one further respect? As this is obviously a matter of very great concern indeed for the energy policy of the whole of Western Europe and of the Free World, could he suggest to his right honourable friend that this matter could be taken up at Heads of Government level and without delay?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I am sure that is a very useful suggestion which the noble Earl has made. I will certainly see that it is passed on to my right honourable friend.