HC Deb 17 November 1953 vol 520 cc1568-70
45. Mr. Edelman

asked the Prime Minister what arrangements exist by which Her Majesty's Government concert the provision of fissile materials and the exchange of information on the industrial supply of atomic energy with the countries of the Commonwealth.

The Minister of Supply (Mr. Duncan Sandys)

I have been asked to reply.[HON. MEMBERS:"Why?"]

Joint arrangements have been made by Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the Government of the United States with Her Majesty's Governments in Australia and South Africa for the supply to the United Kingdom and the United States of uranium from Australia and South Africa. Exchanges of information on the civil applications of atomic energy between Commonwealth countries are carried out by means of conferences and visits of technical staff.

Mr. Edelman

But in view of the friendly rivalry between Britain and America in atomic development, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the strong tendency for Commonwealth uranium to be drawn towards the United States in exchange for short-term advantages which America may offer? Will he invite the Prime Minister to set up a Commonwealth atomic organisation in order to make sure that the long-term interests of Britain and the Commonwealth are preserved?

Mr. Sandys

As the hon. Member knows, there are joint arrangements between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States for the allocation of such uranium as is available to meet their needs. I am sure that we can rely with absolute confidence upon the Commonwealth Governments to ensure that British needs receive fair treatment.

Mr. Shinwell

Are we to understand that in future questions on the subject of exchanging information in respect of atomic energy are to be addressed to the Minister of Supply and not to the Prime Minister? Is this not a matter that comes within the direct purview of the Prime Minister himself?

Mr. Sandys

It has always been the practice in this House that a Minister can ask another Minister to reply if it closely affects his Department.

Mr. Shinwell

I did not require to be told by the right hon. Gentleman what is the procedure of the House? I knew that before he arrived here. I am asking a very simple question. I wish to know from the Prime Minister whether Questions on the exchange of information on the subject of atomic energy are to be addressed to the Minister of Supply and not to the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister (Sir Winston Churchill)

I have not quite completed the dispositions which will be made for answering Questions in the House generally upon the subject of atomic energy, I could not myself undertake to deal with this extremely specialised and complicated subject, and therefore I am going to propose to the House that a Minister shall be made specially chargeable. However, there are certain Questions which, though they appear to deal with the atomic issue, raise matters which are high diplomacy. This first one was naturally one which should be answered by the Minister of Supply, but I have asked my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to deal with the next two very complicated Questions. [AN HON. MEMBER:"Oh."] Certainly, we are very proud to have his assistance, and I hope that the hon. Member will remember how very much easier it is to put highly complex and difficult Questions upon the Order Paper than to give clear and positive answers.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of us would gladly relieve him of all political responsibility?

The Prime Minister

I think that is rather ungrateful. I must have been too complimentary to the right hon. Gentleman. He has explained what harm any compliment from me did to him. I must really rake up a few more compliments.