§ Mr. Campbellasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will now make a statement on his policy towards the fast reactor.
§ Mr. BennWork on the fast reactor in the United Kingdom and other countries has now reached the point where we need to decide our approach to the next stage of the system's development, including our policy on the construction of a full-scale demonstration reactor. This is a matter of great public importance in terms of long-run energy provision and the safety and environmental considerations. In my current review of this I wish to provide the opportunity for wide consultation and will be holding discussions to this end, with a view to decisions in the early autumn. I shall take full account of the prospects for international co-operation, and of the forthcoming report on radiological safety from the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.