HC Deb 14 March 1956 vol 550 cc378-9
48. Mr. Beswick

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many established civil servants were offered contracts of employment by the Atomic Energy Authority; and how many have accepted and signed these contracts.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Offers of employment with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority have been made to 4,202 established non-industrial civil servants, and 3,465 have accepted, and signed contracts.

Mr. Beswick

Is not the fact that many former Ministry of Supply civil servants have not stayed with the Atomic Energy Authority a somewhat disquieting feature that is bound to react on the work and the progress of the Authority? Is it not further a fact that the salaries offered by private commercial firms are much higher, and that the firms are able to offer those higher salaries because they get much information and "know-how" free from the Authority? Would it not be much better to charge a proper rate to independent firms for the information that has been given and to give the employees of the Authority proper rates of pay?

Mr. Butler

I do not necessarily accept all the implications of the hon. Gentleman's statement, but I think that the response in this matter has been gratifying, as the acceptances are 82 per cent. of the offers made.

Mr. Beswick

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it is gratifying that nearly 20 per cent. of the scientists and technologists employed previously at this establishment have left now for private commercial firms?

Mr. Butler

As I said before, there is a great shortage of scientific manpower, and in the circumstances we can say that the response has been gratifying.