§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Energy if, in the light of the undertaking given in a letter to the hon. Member for South Ayrshire from the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind) that a full public debate should precede any commitment to a major nuclear programme, he will now take steps to initiate such a debate.
§ Mr. David HowellThe Government attach great importance to informed public discussion of nuclear power and it is our policy and that of all concerned with the nuclear industry to make as much information available on nuclear safety as is reasonably possible.
On fast reactor policy, to which my hon. Friend referred in this correspondence, no decisions have yet been taken, but we have already announced that any decision to build a full-scale commercial demonstration fast reactor would be subject to a full and thorough public inquiry. I have also told the House that an inquiry will be held in due course on the PWR.—[Vol. 976, c. 288.]