HC Deb 03 February 1966 vol 723 cc292-3W
Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Minister of Technology what was the estimated expenditure of the Atomic Energy Authority in 1965 on research into centrifugal methods of enriching uranium.

Mr. Cousins

It would not be in the national interest to publish information on this expenditure.

Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Minister of Technology if he will give the estimated date on which the Capenhurst plant of the Atomic Energy Authority will start production of enriched uranium.

Mr. Cousins

As I explained in my statement of 9th December, the previous Government decided in 1962 to cut back production of slightly enriched uranium for civil use to the minimum level needed to maintain gaseous diffusion technology. There has been no cessation of production.

The extra production from the modernised plant on which work has now started, will be available in sufficient time to supply fuel for the first A.G.R. station of the second nuclear power programme, Dungeness B, which is planned to be in operation in 1970.