§ 47. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Paymaster-General, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he is aware of the conference recently held by the United Kingdom Atomic Research Establishment. Harwell, in collaboration with the British Shipbuilding Research Association on the possibilities of applying nuclear energy to the propulsion of merchant ships and if he will take steps to issue a White Paper stating the aspects of the relevant problems which were considered, the recommendations made, and the practical steps which he proposes to take in consequence.
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§ Mr. MaudlingThe Atomic Energy Authority has informed my noble Friend that the purpose of the conference was to give ship owners and ship builders an opportunity of hearing about the possibilities, as they appear at present, of applying nuclear energy to the propulsion of merchant ships. No specific recommendations were made, and my noble Friend does not think it appropriate to issue a White Paper. In reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Test (Mr. J. Howard) on 23rd January, I gave details of the work which is being done in the United Kingdom on nuclear ship propulsion.