§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Technology if he will make a further statement on the present work of Dounreay Experimental Station with special regard to its contribution to Scotland's trade, industry, commerce and employment.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuDetails of the work carried out at the Dounreay Experimental Reactor Establishment were given in the reply to my hon. and learned Friend's Question on 4th December.
In almost every sector, construction of the Authority's prototype fast reactor at Dounreay is proceeding to plan. Difficulties have, however, arisen in the fabrication of the complex steel radiation shield roof, and these have resulted in delay in its delivery. Everything possible is being done to minimise the delay, and construction of the reactor is now expected 60W to be complete by the end of 1971. Providing this date can be held the reactor should be on power by the end of 1972—a total delay of about twelve months.
The difficulty over the radiation shield roof for Dounreay, does not concern the fast reactor system as such. Design study work for the commercial fast reactor has already started and will be unaffected by the delay to the completion of the prototype fast reactor. Although the delay in completion of the P.F.R. will affect the final proving of some components, the timing of the C.F.R. development programme will not be set back by the amount of the P.F.R. delay.—[Vol. 774, c. 499–500.]