§ Mr. McGuireasked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement setting out the full costs of the work done by the Atomic Energy Authority on the Magnox series of nuclear power stations; and what he estimates to be the effect on the operating costs of those stations of being required to carry the charges.
§ Mr. BennTotal expenditure on the development of the Magnox system for civil use amounted to about£20 million. Just over half related to the development of fuel elements and in respect of this, appropriate surcharges are included in fuel prices. If charges were imposed sufficient, when discounted to 1967, to cover the remaining cost of development of the reactor system itself, the average cost of generation from Magnox stations would rise by about 0.007d. per unit, assuming 20 years' life and 75 per cent. load factor.