§ 45. Sir I. Fraserasked the Prime Minister whether he will permit Parliamentary observers to attend the atom bomb test in Australia.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Winston Churchill)The arrangements for this test are under consideration with Her Majesty's Government in Australia; but I can hold out no expectation that Parliamentary observers will be able to attend.
§ Sir I. FraserCan my right hon. Friend say if Parliamentary observers went to the tests in the Pacific which the Americans arranged?
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot, without notice, say what arrangements took place in the tests in the Pacific; but at any rate it would not affect the substance of the answer I have just given to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. C. R. AttleeMay I ask if the right hon. Gentleman does not recollect that there were two Members of this 22 House, one belonging to his party and one to mine, who did attend these tests?
§ The Prime MinisterI am very much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for refreshing my memory upon this matter, and indeed furnishing me with information, but I have nothing to add to what I said.
§ Mr. AttleeMay I ask whether that was not a useful precedent? Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will consult one of the members of his own Government, in the Admiralty, who was one of the representatives?
§ The Prime MinisterI should be very much obliged for any assistance of that character.
§ 46. Mr. G. R. Straussasked the Prime Minister whether he has now decided if any adjustments should be made in the existing statutory responsibility of the Minister of Supply for work on atomic energy; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterIn view of the fact that important experiments are to be made in the autumn of this year, I have felt that this is not the appropriate moment to make radical changes in the existing arrangements or to create a new organisation on a long-term basis. It has therefore been decided to make no change for the present in the statutory responsibility of the Minister of Supply in regard to atomic energy. As indicated, however, in my reply of 15th November, to the hon. Member for Gloucestershire, West (Mr. Philips Price), the Paymaster-General will continue to advise me on atomic energy questions and to exercise general supervision over work in this field.
§ Mr. StraussIs the Prime Minister aware that the decision not to alter the administrative set-up and responsibility which has existed during the past four years is considered, anyhow by some of those responsible for the development of this work during that period, as being a very wise one?
§ The Prime MinisterA very wise one? I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his compliment, which is also a compliment to himself.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the statement by 23 the Prime Minister about atomic bombing, and in view of the fact that we are not being told anything about atomic bombing, I beg to give notice that I shall endeavour to raise the matter on the Adjournment.