HC Deb 01 February 1956 vol 548 c923
47. Mr. Warbey

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will state the policy of the Government regarding British co-operation with other European countries in the peaceful uses of atomic energy.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Collaboration between a number of European countries in the peaceful uses of atomic energy is still under discussion between them, and it is too soon yet to say in what form British participation in such collaboration will be possible.

Mr. Warbey

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the important statement made by M. Guy Mollet on the Euratom proposal, and noted his expression of the view that this country should be associated with Euratom more closely than it has been with other European projects? Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the importance, from the political point of view, of seeing that this matter is no confined within a narrow "little Europe" basis?

Mr. Butler

Certainly, and the hon. Member will perhaps have also read the Report of the O.E.E.C. Working Party on European collaboration on atomic energy. We have undertaken that we must give this very close consideration. We must bear in mind association with O.E.E.C. as well as with the imaginative ideas which originated at Messina and which evolved the organisation known as Euratom.

Mr. J. Edwards

Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm or deny that diplomatic representations have been made in the six capitals opposing the idea of Euratom?

Mr. Butler

In order that I may give an accurate reply, I should like the right hon. Gentleman to put that Question on the Paper.