§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the state of co-operation between the United Kingdom and France on fast reactor technology.
§ Mr. Norman LamontFast reactor policy, including the possibilities for international collaboration, is being actively considered by the Government. A key issue is how soon we need to move to a commercial demonstration fast reactor.
None of our existing agreements would commit the United Kingdom to international collaboration in the industrial exploitation of fast reactor technology, such as would be involved in the construction of a CDFR. However, close contact with technical work on fast reactors is maintained with France and other major fast reactor countries through the United Kingdom's participation in the international working group on fast reactors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, by regular international conferences on various aspects of fast reactor design, safety and operation, and on the fast reactor fuel cycle, and through Community committees and meetings. There is specific collaboration between the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique on fast reactor fuel testing to improve understanding of the safety of power fast reactors.
§ Mr. Cookasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the nature and extent of collaboration with the French authorities on work on the fast breeder reactor and on the total expenditure involved.
337W
§ Mr. Norman LamontFast reactor policy, including the possibilities for international collaboration, is being actively considered by the Government. A key issue is how soon we need to move to a commercial demonstration fast reactor.
None of our existing agreements would commit the United Kingdom to international collaboration in the industrial exploitation of fast reactor technology, such as would be involved in the construction of a CDFR. However, close contact with technical work on fast reactors is maintained with France and other major fast reactor countries through the United Kingdom's participation in the international working group on fast reactors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, by regular international conferences on various aspects of fast reactor design, safety and operation, and on the fast reactor fuel cycle, and through Community committees and meetings. There is specific collaboration between the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique on fast reactor fuel testing to improve understanding of the safety of power fast reactors. This involves the exchange of information arising out of existing fuel development and testing programmes. It is not therefore possible to separate out the cost as a special item.