§ Mr. Masonasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science when the Atomic Energy Authority will be ready to demonstrate to the electricity boards the feasibility, safety and economics of the advanced gas-cooled reactor system.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethAbout one years' full power operation of the Windscale A.G.R. will be needed to confirm the behaviour of the reactor. So far, just over two months of full power operation has been achieved.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what is the total cost to date of the development of the advanced gas-cooled reactor.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethPublication of the Atomic Energy Authority's expenditure on the development of any particular type of reactor and of the revenue received from its exploitation would handicap them in their negotiations for the payment of royalties for the use of patents and information of commercial value relating to that particular system.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what loss was incurred by the Atomic Energy Authority on the development and production of beryllium for canning the advanced gas-cooler reactor fuel elements, including all research, development of production units and compensation paid to firms outside the Atomic Energy Authority who were contracted to assist in development and production.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethThe Atomic Energy Authority have spent about £10 million on the development of beryllium as a fuel element canning material. Of this sum, about £8.5 million was spent on A.G.R. cans, including the development of techniques and provision of facilities for the6W manufacture of material and cans and the production of cans for a part charge for the zero energy facility.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what progress is being made in the development of stainless steel fuel element containers for the advanced gas-cooled reactor; and what is the estimated cost of research and development on this matter.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethGood progress has been made in the development of stainless steel clad fuel elements for the A.G.R. A full charge of these elements consisting of over 30,000 individual cans has been made and is now being irradiated. So far there has been no defect in any. The cost to date of developing the design and manufacturing techniques is estimated to be nearly £2 million.