Nuclear power and public policy

Some of the thinking behind the Sixth Report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution 'Nuclear Power and the Environment', is explained by the then Chairman of the Commission, who elucidates on various sections of the report and replies to some of the criticisms which followed its publication. Attention is drawn to other recent publications concerned with the environmental risks and problems of nuclear power, particularly the report of the Fox Commission on the Ranger Uranium Environmental Inquiry, in Australia, which reached similar conclusions to those of the Royal Commission. The Fox Commission studied the problems of safeguards and proliferation in much greater detail and its opinions are quoted. In conclusion, some personal recommendations are made as to the steps which the British Government should take, in regard to safeguards, waste management and designing against sabotage and natural disasters. Dependence upon nuclear power should be reduced. Commercial fast reactor development should proceed without undue haste and on a European basis. (U.K.)