§ 45. Mr. Tolleyasked the Prime Minister what, so far, is the cost to this country of the discovery of the atomic bomb; and what are our future financial commitments upon it.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)The contributions which this country has made to the discovery of the atomic bomb were the result of scientific research carried out in many different fields over a number of years. It would be very difficult to give an estimate of the cost of this research. As regards future commitments, the initial cost of the research station at Harwell is at present estimated at about £1,000,000, and its running cost at about £500,000 a year. There are other important developments on which substantial expenditure is likely to arise in the future, but no estimate can at present be given of the amounts involved.
§ Mr. TolleyWill the Prime Minister consider issuing a report to this House 1530 in the immediate future on the possibilities of atomic energy resulting from this discovery?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that would hardly be possible at the present time.
§ Mr. LipsonWill the Prime Minister take steps to see that the policy of the Government is such that the people of this country will have no reason to regret the discovery of the atomic bomb?
§ The Prime MinisterI will do my best in the matter.