§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy for how many years the 524W United Kingdom has had experience of fast reactor technology; and if he will list the successive steps taken to date to develop that potential.
§ Mr. EadieThe United Kingdom has some 26 years' experience of fast reactor technology. Research undertaken at Harwell in the early 1950s established its feasibility, and the 14MW(E) Doureay Fast Reactor (DFR) was commissioned in 1959. The 250MW(E) Prototype Fast Reactor (PFR) was commissioned at Dounreay in 1974. Following the early operation of PFR, the DFR was closed down as scheduled in March this year after 18 years successful operation during which it generated more than 6,000 million units of electricity for the grid besides substantially advancing the technology of the fast reactor. Development work on the fast reactor is continuing, taking account of operating experience with PFR as well as of work in a number of other experimental facilities.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many critical and minor faults have been reported from the advanced gas-cooled reactor stations during the last 12 years.
§ Mr. EadieI am advised that no critical occurrences have been reported in the last 12 years from the advanced gas-cooled reactors in England and Wales. Under the arrangements for reporting nuclear occurrences my right hon. Friend announced in the House on 2nd February 1977, four minor occurrences have been reported, details of which were published in the health and safety bulletins available in the Library of the House. I am also advised that prior to those arrangements two minor incidents were reported to the Factories Inspectorate under the Ionising Radiations Regulations and four minor incidents, not involving any nuclear matter, were reported to the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate. No other occurrences have been reported in England and Wales.
The Secretary of State for Scotland is responsible for dealing with Questions relating to advanced gas-cooled reactors in Scotland.