HC Deb 26 February 1960 vol 618 cc97-8W
Dame Irene Ward

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the Report of the Committee on the Safety of Nuclear-powered Merchant Ships.

Mr. Marples

The Report, which has now been issued as a Command Paper (Cmnd. 958), contains a comprehensive survey of the measures required nationally and internationally to enable nuclear-powered merchant ships to be operated with safety, particularly in the initial stages of development. The Committee's recommendations will provide an excellent basis for legislation in due course and meanwhile for international discussion at the Conference on Safety of Life at Sea which is to be held in London next May. They will also be discussed fully by my Department with the interests and authorities in this country who are concerned.

I should like to take this opportunity of thanking the members of the Committee for the great help they gave in considering this complicated and difficult problem.

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