§ 37. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Minister of Technology what estimate he made of the extra cost involved in building the prototype fast reactor at Dounreay rather than Winfrith.
§ 39 and 40. Sir Clive Bossomasked the Minister of Technology (1) what estimates he made of the capital expenditure on the prototype fast reactor if located at Dounreay, Windscale, Winfrith, and Chapelcross respectively;
(2) if he will give the operating costs which were estimated for the prototype 192W fast reactor if located at Dounreay, Windscale, Winfrith, and Chapelcross, respectively.
§ 41 and 42. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology (1) what estimate he made of the costs, to the nearest hundred thousand pounds, of building the prototype fast breeder reactor at Dounreay and Winfrith, respectively;
(2) what estimates he made of the running costs, after completion of basic capital expenditure, of a prototype fast breeder reactor, if located at Dounreay, Winfrith and Chapelcross, respectively.
§ Mr. CousinsAs I told the House on 9th February, the difference between the estimated capital and operating costs of siting the reactor at Dounreay and Winfrith did not play an important part in the decision. Some of the factors involved in the siting of the prototype fast reactor are exceedingly difficult to quantify and it would be misleading to make precise comparisons in money terms. Estimates of the capital expenditure were not prepared for Windscale and Chapelcross, which would have required additional research facilities to support the reactor.
§ Sir G. Sinclairasked the Minister of Technology on what date he decided on the location of the prototype fast reactor which he announced on 9th February.
§ Mr. CousinsOn several occasions I have said that the Government's decision would be announced as soon as it was made. This was done.