Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Energy what new steps he proposes to take in his capacity as Chairman of the Council of Energy Ministers to ensure the commencement of the joint European Torus fusion energy research project; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BennIn my capacity as Chairman of the Energy Council I have already met seven of my European colleagues and expect to have completed bilateral discussions with all of them by the end of this week. Dr. Brunner, EEC Commissioner responsible both for energy and for research, science and education, has also called on me. The subject of JET arose a number of times during these discussions and there was general agreement on the need for an early decision. As I explained on 23rd December 1976 in my answer to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, South-East (Mr. Rost) collective Community discussions at a Research Council will be arranged as soon as progress appears possible.