HC Deb 05 March 1969 vol 779 c103W
Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister of Technology what work he is doing at the Underwater Research Centre at Portland into research into the extraction of uranium from sea-water.

Mr. Fowler

Research on the extraction of uranium from sea-water is being undertaken by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, and a small testing station leased from the Ministry of Defence (Navy Department) at Portland. Research is leading to improvements in the process and tests on increasing the scale from laboratory experiments are being mounted at Portland.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister of Technology what studies the Atomic Energy Authority are making of the use of uranium extracted from sea-water.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

The Atomic Energy Authority is undertaking research on the extraction of uranium from sea water, but is not making any studies specifically into the use of this uranium, which is identical to that obtained from mineral sources.