§ Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Minister of Technology what is the basis for the royalty of 0.014d. per unit sent out from the proposed advanced gas-cooled reactor nuclear stations payable by the electricity generating boards to the Atomic Energy Authority; whether he is satisfied that this covers the cost of all work done by the Authority on the civilian nuclear reactor programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BennThe royalty of 0.014d. per unit sent out represents a sharing between the generating boards and the Atomic Energy Authority of the benefit of the advanced gas-cooled reactor over comparable available alternatives. This royalty will not cover the cost of all the work done by the Authority in the civil nuclear reactor programme which embraces a much wider field than the advanced gas-cooled reactor system.
As I told the House on the 6th June it is the policy of the U.K.A.E.A. to secure such return, principally by the way of royalties, as the market will bear.
I am satisfied that the arrangement agreed is in line with this policy.