§ 64 and 65. Commander Courtneyasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he has yet reached a decision regarding the most suitable type, tonnage, shaft horsepower and speed for a British prototype nuclear-powered merchant ship and, now that the engine room requirements for a given shaft horsepower are known, whether he will put the design out to tender in British shipyards;
(2) how long he estimates it will take him to give financial approval for building the first British prototype nuclear-powered merchant ship.
§ Mr. MarplesMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the House on Monday that I would very soon be having discussions with those concerned about arrangements for the construction, ownership and operation of a prototype nuclear ship. These talks have now begun.
It is too soon to say what type and size of ship will be selected if the Government decides that one should be built. Nor is it possible to say at this stage how the order will be placed.
If suitable financial and other arrangements can be agreed with industry, I hope that a firm decision whether a ship should be built will be taken before the end of this year.