HL Deb 05 March 1986 vol 472 cc294-5WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the present state of international cooperation in research into thermonuclear fusion, and whether they agree with the view of the Soviet Academician Basov that a pilot laser-driven thermonuclear reactor could be built in the next 10 to 15 years.

The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord Cray of Contin)

I am advised that the statement by Soviet Academician Basov, quoted in a recent Tass broadcast, does not refer to any unforeseen advance in this field, but to the achievement, after some years' work, of the output power expected from a particular laser device. A proper assessment of the significance of this result can only be made after publication of the technical details in the scientific literature.