§ 48. Mr. Bennasked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that Article II of the Draft Anglo-American Agreement on the exchange of Atomic Information for Defence Purposes, Command Paper No. 9508, provides that that agreement shall be subject to future United States legislation without including a similar provision safeguarding the right of Parliament to enact new legislation on atomic energy, if he will take steps to re-negotiate this Agreement on this point.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. Although the United States Atomic Energy Act, 1954, considerably relaxed the restrictions previously enforced, during the period of the Agreement there may be further relaxations. The terms of Article 11 make provision for this possibility.
§ Mr. BennIs the Prime Minister really satisfied that the Agreement specifically safeguards the right of the United States Congress to alter its terms unilaterally while no such provision is made safeguarding the rights of Parliament in this matter?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman is not right. This provision allows for further relaxation in United States legislation and I hope, although we had better not say too much about it, that in the course of time there may be such further relaxation. There cannot be any relaxation in our legislation, because there is no such legislation.
§ Mr. BennIs the Prime Minister aware that there is nothing to prevent the United States Congress altering its legislation in the contrary sense?
§ The Prime MinisterI am aware of that. I have also told the House that all these arrangements are on the basis of reciprocity. I have also given the House a very full account of what the Agreements are. In view of their delicate character and the very great importance of confidential work between the United States and Britain at this time, I hope I may ask the House to be temperate in its Questions on this subject.
§ 49. Mr. Bennasked the Prime Minister to what extent the policy of Her Majesty's Government under Article III or any other 1741 provision of the Draft Agreement on the exchange of Atomic Information for Defence Purposes, Command Paper No. 9508, between the United States of America and the United Kingdom will now involve the screening of British atomic energy workers by American security officers.
§ The Prime MinisterNone, Sir.
§ Mr. BennIs the Prime Minister aware that that categorical assurance will be received very gratefully by all sides of the House?