§ 2.5 p.m.
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)My Lords, before we proceed to the Business of the Day I should like to make a statement. I beg to inform the House that the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority has now been appointed, in accordance with the provisions of the Atomic Energy Authority Act, 1954. The Act prescribes that the Authority shall consist of not less than eight nor more than eleven members. Eight members have already been appointed, and it is my intention shortly to appoint one additional member. The following have agreed to serve as members of the Authority: Sir Edwin Plowden, as Chairman; Sir John Cockcroft, Sir Christopher Hinton, Sir William Penney, Sir Donald Perrott, Lord Cherwell, Sir Luke Fawcett and Mr. I. A. R. Stedeford, K.B.E., the last three named on a part-time basis.
The Chairman will receive a salary of £8,500 a year and the remaining members other than the part-time members £5,000 a year. Sir John Crockcroft, Sir Christopher Hinton and Sir William Penney will receive an additional payment of £1,000 per annum in their capacity as Executives of the Authority. The part-time members will receive £500 a year, save that Lord Cherwell will, at his own request, receive no payment. The members have been appointed as from July 19. An Order in Council, made in accordance with the provisions of the Act, has fixed August 1 as the appointed day on which the Authority shall commence to exercise its functions.
§ VISCOUNT SAMUELMy Lords, I think the House would wish to thank the Lord President for the statement which he has made, and to thank him also for his success in securing so strong a directorship for an Authority whose work is of such supreme importance to the 316 nation. May I ask the noble Marquess whether Sir John Cockroft will retain his position as the director of the Atomic Energy Establishment at Harwell and whether certain other members of the new Board will retain posts which they now hold?
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYYes, my Lords. I can assure the noble Viscount that Sir John Cockroft, Sir Christopher Hinton and Sir William Penney will continue to hold their present posts.