§ 67. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Transport, in view of the rapid progress being made by Western Germany in the field of nuclear marine propulsion, if he is satisfied that sufficient funds are being made available for the experiments which will be necessary to ensure that the United Kingdom is able to compete successfully in this field of development; and if he will make a statement.
§ 80. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Minister of Transport what is his estimate of the effect on the British shipbuilding industry of the development of nuclear powered ships by the German Federal Republic.
§ Mr. MarplesThere has been no lack of effort in this country on the part of all concerned with the development of this form of propulsion. What we now have to decide is how we can best make further progress, and I am considering this at the present time. I have read recent reports of German plans, but I have no reason to believe they are further ahead than we are.
§ 79. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Minister of Transport if he will make a further statement on the provision of nuclear propulsion for British merchant ships.
§ Mr. MarplesI regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement, but I will do so as soon as possible.