§ Brigadier Clarkeasked the Minister of Transport what new considerations since 20th December led him to review his previous decision about building nuclear ships in British yards.
§ Mr. MarplesResearch progressed to the point where it became clear that it would be possible to decide before the end of this year whether a prototype nuclear ship should he built. In these circumstances the Government decided that the time had come to have discussions with the shipping and shipbuilding industries about the arrangements for such a ship.
§ Brigadier Clarkeasked the Minister of Transport if he will speed up his proposed examination of the most suitable nuclear marine reactor for the building of the first British nuclear ship.
§ Mr. MarplesThe research programme is proceeding with all possible speed. We expect it will be possible to decide before the end of this year which reactor system should be installed in a prototype nuclear ship, if one is built.