§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Education, as representing the Minister for Science, if he will make a statement on the progress being made with the Dounreay fast breeder reactor; what are its prospects in terms of power output; and what reductions in costs of this new type of station can be expected.
§ Sir D. EcclesI am informed by the Atomic Energy Authority that the Dounreay fast breeder reactor has been running at low power since 14th November, 1959, and research has been undertaken into certain problems of its psysics and engineering. The reactor is intended primarily for research and development and its power output will never be large. The development of this type of reactor should eventually mean a reduction in the costs of nuclear power but it is too early to evaluate the improvement and the reduction in costs which can be expected.