§ 67. Mr. Wallasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will make a statement about the decision of his committee on the provision of nuclear reactors for Her Majesty's or merchant ships.
§ 69. Dame Irene Wardasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he now has any statement to make on progress with nuclear power for marine propulsion.
Dr. Bennettasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the technical sub-committee on nuclear propulsion units for surface tankers has yet reported; and what prospects there are of early action.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithI am sorry that I cannot add to the Answer I gave to the House on 8th July. There are still some aspects of the matter which require further consideration.
Dr. Bennettasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the principal difficulties in the way of the setting up of a committee of naval architects, industrialists and others on the subject of nuclear submarines for commercial purposes; and how he expects these difficulties to be resolved in the absence of any such body.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithA similar committee is already at work on the problem of nuclear propulsion for surface ships and my noble Friend is satisfied that this is a development which should be given priority.
Meanwhile the possibilities of developing nuclear submarines for commercial purposes are being watched but I cannot at present see sufficient commercial prospects in the idea to warrant the setting up of yet another committee.