HC Deb 31 January 1956 vol 548 c97W
74. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will now state the date on which it is expected that Britain's first atomic power station at Calder Hall will commence fully to operate.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Her Majesty The Queen will switch into the National Grid the current generated by the first of the two reactors at Calder Hall power station on 17th October, 1956. The second reactor should be in operation within six months of the opening ceremony.

75. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will now state the sites selected for further atomic power stations, following Calder Hall; the size of each station in terms of capacity; and planned completion dates.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Responsibility for the atomic power stations to be built under the Government's Civil Power programme announced in their White Paper of February, 1955, rests with the Minister of Fuel and Power and the electricity authorities. I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the six additional reactors of the Calder Hall type to be erected by the Atomic Energy Authority. These will have a total capacity of about 200 MW and will probably come into operation in 1959 or 1960. Two will be built at Calder Hall, and four near Annan in Dumfriesshire.