HC Deb 21 March 1956 vol 550 cc1245-7
47. Mr. Warbey

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will now publish, in a White Paper or otherwise, full details of the terms of the agreements made between the Atomic Energy Authority and Associated Electrical Industries, excepting only details the disclosure of which would prejudice the future commercial dealings of the authority or the company, or would be contrary to the interests of national security.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have already given the hon. Member, in my reply on 22nd February, details of the terms on which the Authority will supply Associated Electrical Industries, Ltd., with nuclear fuel. Since full information about the type of reactor which the company intend to construct has already been published, notably at the Geneva Conference last August, the question of charging for information does not arise. Payment for the use of patented inventions will depend on the extent to which patents owned by the Authority are in fact used.

Mr. Warbey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his reply is very disappointing in view of the fact that on an earlier occasion he promised to give us all the information he had? Why should we have to turn to the Press to get such information as that it is a Merlin or swimming pool type of reactor of a capacity of 1,000–5,000 kw. and that it will remain in the private ownership of the company concerned? Why should not all these details be given in full to the House?

Mr. Butler

The position is that on the date I have mentioned, in col. 380–382 of Vol. 549 of the OFFICIAL REPORT, I gave the hon. Member details of the arrangements for the loan of nuclear fuel between the Atomic Energy Authority and the company in question. Today I have given an answer about charging, which was the extra point raised by the hon. Member. On his third point concerning the swimming pool reactors, I understand that information on this matter has been widely published. Therefore, I did not feel that on either of the three aspects there was very much I could add apart from bringing them together in the synthesis which I have attempted to do now.

48. Mr. Warbey

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make an order under Section 10 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1946, to provide that the acquisition, production, or use by private industry of nuclear fuels or of plant for the production or use of atomic energy shall be permitted only under official licence.

Mr. R. A. Butler

My noble Friend the Lord President does not at present intend to make an order under Section 10 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1946. He is satisfied that any necessary control can be secured either through the Atomic Energy Authority's monopoly of fissile material or through the exercise of powers under Section 5 of the Radioactive Substances Act, 1948.

Mr. Warbey

Was it not the clear intention of the Atomic Energy Act that as soon as atomic energy development began to spread beyond the sphere of public activity, a licensing system should be introduced? As provision exists in the Act to make an order to this effect, why do not the Government now do it, in view of the fact that a number of agreements have already been entered into with private firms?

Mr. Butler

The powers were taken in the Act, very wisely, in case of abuse, but as the present desire is for expansion, both under the Authority and under private industry, my noble Friend sees no reason to use those powers at present. In regard to safe construction and operation, powers are available under Section 55 of the 1948 Act, to which I have referred, and it may well be that we shall have to examine the extent to which we have to use those powers; but in the view of my noble Friend, the power contained in Section 10 is not at present necessary.