§ Mr. Roy Masonasked the Prime Minister to what extent experiments, at present being conducted at Aldermaston towards harnessing nuclear fusion for peaceful purposes, have recently proved that nuclear power is now a more distinct possibility and may be obtained earlier than art first anticipated and to what extent more scientists are being recruited for this work to speed up its development.
§ The Prime MinisterI am informed by the Atomic Energy Authority that experimental work on thermonuclear fusion at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston is directed towards a better understanding of the mechanism by which high gas temperatures can be achieved. The encouraging results to date do not alter earlier predictions about the probable time-scale of the development of thermonuclear power. The Authority are recruiting some additional staff for this work.