§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the future of the Dragon Reactor project.
§ Mr. EadieThe OECD's Dragon project, an experimental high temperature reactor sited at the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's establishment at Winfrith, has been a successful international venture. Since its inception in 1959 it has been extended five times. The current agreement between the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, the European Communities, Sweden, Switzerland and Austria, expires on 31st March 1976. 793W However, escalating costs have reduced the funds remaining to a level which will compel termination by the end of 1975 unless a further extension is agreed upon. Staff seconded to the project have already been given notice of desecondment and under present arrangements will return to their parent laboratories on 6th December 1975.