HC Deb 19 February 1973 vol 851 cc4-5W
25. Mr. David Price

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research work is being carried out by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority upon the technical and economic feasibility of extracting uranium from those parts of the oceans where the maximum concentration is about 0.3 milligrams per cubic metre or more.

Mr. Emery

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority studied the extraction of uranium from seawater for some years. Work was taken to the point where it was established that the process was technically feasible, but as it appeared that the costs would not be competitive with other sources of uranium the work was terminated. The project would be re-examined if this were justified in the future by a substantial increase in the price of uranium.