HC Deb 20 June 1956 vol 554 cc1405-6
9. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the new Anglo-United States atom agreement.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I am grateful to the right hon. and learned Gentleman for giving me this opportunity of welcoming the signature of this Agreement. The text will be issued as a White Paper later today. It will not enter into force until the appropriate Instruments have been exchanged.

This is one of the results of the closer co-operation between this country and the United States foreshadowed in the Communiqué issued last February after the talks which the Prime Minister and I had with President Eisenhower and Mr. Dulles.

This amendment extends the Agreement signed last year between the United States and United Kingdom for Co-operation on the Civil Uses of Atomic Energy, to make provision for a broader exchange of materials used in the atomic energy programmes of the two countries. It will also provide for the exchange of information concerning military package power reactors and other military reactors for the propulsion of naval vessels, aircraft. and land vehicles.

Mr. Henderson

Is it the case that the Agreement does not cover the exchange of information on nuclear test explosions, in view of the duplication of financial expenditure, manpower and scientific effort which now characterises the present situation?

Mr. Lloyd

No, Sir. It does not cover that. I think that that really is another question.

Sir J. Hutchison

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that this Agreement will be generally welcomed as marking a stage of advancement in the possibilities of research and in the economies that can be derived by both the participants in the matter of research?

Mr. Lloyd

I certainly agree with what my hon. Friend has said.