HC Deb 08 May 1975 vol 891 c482W
Mrs. Winifred Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Defence for what purposes peaceful nuclear explosions are carried out; and if he is satisfied with the benefits derived from these explosions.

Mr. Mason

Proposals have been made to use peaceful nuclear explosions for certain large-scale engineering projects and for the development of natural resources. It has not been satisfactorily established that any benefits gained thereby outweigh the problems involved. They are unlikely to do so within the United Kingdom, and we have no programme for peaceful nuclear explosions.