§ 28. Mr. Palmerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is taking, in collaboration with the Central Electricity Authority and the Atomic Energy Authority, to recruit and train the engineering and scientific staff necessary to carry through the 10-year programme of nuclear power development set out in the White Paper presented to Parliament in February last.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksThe responsibility for recruiting and training the required staff lies with the Central Electricity Authority and the firms participating in the Atomic Energy Groups. In the summer of 1954 the British Electricity Authority was asked for reports on the training of men for this work, and its plans for this purpose were included in the training programme which my right hon. Friend approved this year. He is now awaiting an assessment by the Authority of its requirements of skilled men of all types over the next five years.
§ Mr. PalmerBut is the hon. Gentleman aware of the grave doubts that have been expressed on this point by the Atomic Energy Authority itself, and does he not think that the Government, quite apart from the British Electricity Authority, have a responsibility if this programme is to grow to some kind of reality?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksIt will be easier to judge that when my right hon. Friend receives the reports to which I have referred.