HC Deb 12 May 1959 vol 605 c132W
79. Mr. Roy Mason

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when a decision is likely to be forthcoming from Her Majesty's Government regarding the building of a nuclear-propelled ship as a pilot project to test the efficiency, economics and safety of nuclear marine propulsion units.

80. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the successful development of marine propulsion by nuclear power, as evidenced by British firms at the recent exhibition arranged by the Admiralty, he will now authorise a Government-sponsored prototype ship to be at sea in the interest of United Kingdom trade as soon as possible.

Mr. T. G. D. Galbraith

The next step following the presentation of alternative reactor systems arranged by the Admiralty last week is a technical appraisal of the respective merits of the individual systems. This is in hand as a matter of urgency, but until it is completed a decision to build the first British ship cannot be taken. Her Majesty's Government fully recognise the importance of doing everything they can to introduce nuclear propulsion in merchant ships.