§ Sir H. Legge-Bourkeasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science whether he will now make a statement on the progress of the programme of research on nuclear reactors for marine propulsion.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethThe Working Group on Marine Reactor Research set up jointly by the Minister for Science and the Minister of Transport has assessed the relative merits of the reactor types which have been the subject of study and research.
My noble Friend and my right hon. Friend have accepted its recommendation that the programme of research be concentrated in the future on two types. There are the Vulcain reactor, on which a joint programme with the Belgian consortia Belgonucleaire is under way, and a water reactor known as the Integral Boiling Reactor originated by the Atomic Energy Authority.