HC Deb 15 November 1951 vol 493 cc1159-60
47. Mr. M. Philips Price

asked the Prime Minister what arrangements he is making with regard to the apportionment of responsibility between the Paymaster-General and the Lord President of the Council for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and for the Medical and Agricultural Research Councils, and between both those Ministers and the Minister of Supply in respect of atomic energy.

The Prime Minister

My right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council will be responsible for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Agricultural Research Council and the Medical Research Council. My noble Friend the Paymaster-General will be responsible for advising me on atomic energy questions. I am now considering what adjustments should be made in the existing statutory responsibilities of the Minister of Supply for these subjects.

Mr. Philips Price

May I take it that the Paymaster-General will have no right of supervision over the work of the Lord President of the Council in connection with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and other Departments which are under him?

The Prime Minister

The arrangements are as I have set out in my answer.

Mr. Chetwynd

Will the Prime Minister say who will answer Questions on these subjects in the House of Commons?

The Prime Minister

I think I am to be asked a question on this point a little later in the week.

Hon. Members

When?

Mr. G. R. Strauss

As the Minister of Supply at present has direct Parliamentary responsibility for the whole of the atomic energy work, military and peaceful, can I take it that he will continue that responsibility until a formal change takes place?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir, unless there is an amending Act. The responsibility formally rests with the Minister of Supply. There will be no difficulty, I think, in making an arrangement pending legislation.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

On a point of order. Owing to the inadequate and wholly unsatisfactory nature of the reply to Question No. 46, I should like to give notice—[HON. MEMBERS: "Too late."] No, I am not—that I will take an early opportunity of raising the matter on the Adjournment

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