§ 42. Mr. G. R. Straussasked the Minister of Works how far his Department is still responsible for the erection and maintenance of the Atomic Energy Authority's buildings.
§ Mr. BirchThe United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority will assume direct responsibility on 1st December next for new construction in the Industrial Group which is controlled from Risley. Arrangements are also being made for the Authority to take over responsibility for the maintenance of their buildings other than their London Headquarters offices. My Ministry will continue for the time being to be responsible for new construction in the Research and Weapons Groups.
§ Mr. StraussWhat is the cause of this change? The Atomic Energy Authority previously commissioned the Ministry of Works to do all this building work and the Ministry did it exceedingly well. Now apparently it is going out of the hands of the Ministry. Has the Authority no confidence in the Ministry of Works?
§ Mr. BirchI agree with the right hon. Gentleman that the Ministry has done exceedingly well, but all nationalised bodies, such as the Coal Board, the British Electricity Authority, the gas boards and so on, do their own building.
§ Mr. StraussDoes the hon. Gentleman mean that they do their own construction and have their own construction companies, or that when the Atomic Energy Authority want a building put up they invite contractors other than the Ministry of Works to submit estimates?
§ Mr. BirchIf they are taking over responsibility for their own building, it will be for them to select their own contractors and carry out the work in the way they think it ought to be done.
§ Mr. StraussThe Ministry of Works will no longer be invited to submit estimates and plans as they have in the past and as they have done so well? If so, it will be a ridiculous situation.