§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on his talks with the technological delegation from Brazil.
§ Mr. BennA Brazilian technical mission, headed by General Jose Costa Cavalcenti, Minister of Mines and Energy, visited this country as guests of Her Majesty's Government from 10th to 13th November, 1968. This visit was the culmination of a series of exchanges intended to acquaint the Brazilians with British technology at a stage when they are considering a nuclear power programme.
The Brazilian party was able to study the Steam Generating Heavy Water Reactor (SGHWR) at Winfrith, and the Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor (AGR) at Dungeness. Both systems are well suited to meet Brazilian requirements, and our visitors had comprehensive discussions about these systems, and the British nuclear power programme generally, with officials from the UKAEA and the CEGB. They were able to talk with both 235W my hon. Friends the Joint Parliamentary Secretaries, and officials from my Department.
I believe that the visit was of benefit to both sides. The Brazilians were able not only to see something of our technology, but also to note the stature of our nuclear power programme as well as the manner in which it is being administered. My Department is now arranging for the visit to be followed up with further information about the legislative and administrative arrangements necessary for the successful introduction of a nuclear power programme, with special emphasis on the means to be employed to reproduce Britain's outstanding safety record.
236WI believe that collaboration in the nuclear field between the two countries would be mutually advantageous and that the visit has contributed to this end. I shall, of course, do everything I can to promote it.