§ 51. Mr. Warbeyasked the Prime Minister whether he will arrange to transfer Ministerial control of the Atomic Energy Authority to a Minister sitting in this House.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ Mr. WarbeyMay I ask the Prime Minister to appreciate, in view of the vast and growing importance of this great public enterprise, that hon. Members ought to have an opportunity of putting Questions to the Minister directly responsible for Government policy? Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that it is an annoyance to the House, and I am sure an embarrassment to the Lord Privy Seal, that that right hon. Gentleman should so frequently have to tell 1620 the House that he will have to consult his noble Friend before replying?
§ The Prime MinisterThe Waverley Committee found that the most suitable Minister seemed to be the Lord President of the Council from the nature of his duties. I am sure that the House will feel that the arrangement whereby my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal should answer Questions in conjunction with the Lord President's knowledge is a reasonable one.
§ Mr. CallaghanWill the Prime Minister reconsider this matter, as over £30 million is being spent each year in this sphere and control of it is being removed from the experience of the House since there is no Parliamentary Secretary in the House to answer? Without any disrespect to the Lord Privy Seal, may I ask whether it would not be worth while considering some alteration in the Ministerial arrangements so that the House can feel that someone here is responsible in some part for the money that is being spent?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that we will do that. Though I shall naturally give attention to any suggestion from the hon. Member, I am sure that he will join with me in not wishing to see the creation of another Minister.