§ Viscount Hanworthasked Her Majesty's Government:
What has been the progress of the design of European fast reactors and of their construction in Japan.
Earl FerrersThe European fast reactor project, in which UK industry participates, has achieved successful completion of the design phase of a common European fast reactor. No decision has yet been made on the construction of a European fast reactor. Work continues on the project both to execute research and development and to monitor other research and development work being carried out elsewhere in the world in order to maintain an up to date design which might be constructed on about a 10-year timescale. The European project continues to acquire experience from the operation of fast reactors both in Europe and in Russia and Japan.
The Japanese fast reactor programme is not part of the European fast reactor programme. The Japanese prototype fast reactor, Monju, was taken critical for the start of its rise to power on 17 February 1995. Monju is likely to start generating electricity in April 1995.