HC Deb 06 February 1957 vol 564 cc440-2
46. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Paymaster-General, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what action is to be taken to increase the output of power in accordance with the ideas contributed at the United Nations International Conference on Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy held at Geneva in 1955.

The Paymaster-General (Mr. Reginald Maudling)

I am informed by the Atomic Energy Authority that, in formulating its programme of research, it has taken into account the ideas contributed at the United Nations International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy held at Geneva in 1955, which are now available to everybody working in the atomic field.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Can the Minister give an undertaking that super-priority will be given to those engaged on the construction of power houses, especially in regard to steel and petrol?

Mr. Maudling

I think that that is a very much wider question.

47. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Paymaster-General, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what further consideration has been given to the contribution by Sir John Cockcroft on page 409 of Volume 1 of the report of the proceedings of the International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy in Geneva, 1955; and what further action he proposes to take.

Mr. Maudling

Sir John Cockcroft's paper dealt with the Contribution of Nuclear Power to United Kingdom and World Energy Resources up to 1975. The Government and the Atomic Energy Authority are keeping this question under constant consideration. Chapters 5 and 6 of the Aomic Energy Authority's Second Annual Report reported the technical progress that has been made since the Geneva Conference.

Mr. Ellis Smith

As some of us are uneasy about recent appointments, will the Minister take steps to see that the noble Lords now in charge of this kind of development will be invited to address the Members of this House in order that we can hear what they have to say and to interrogate them?

Mr. Maudling

I do not think that that arises from the Question on the Order Paper.

Mr. Nabarro

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that the Reports referred to in this Question are now two years old, and that, in the interim period, the United Kingdom has made technological advances in this field far outstripping those of our overseas competitors?

Mr. Ellis Smith

Does not the Paymaster-General agree that these publications have only just arrived in Britain? As right hon. and hon. Members are the elected representatives of the people, and as those who now have the new responsibilities should be answerable to the elected representatives, will he give further consideration to the request I have made?

Mr. Maudling

I do not know when the Report of the Geneva Conference arrived, but the Report of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, to which I referred, was presented to Parliament in July last year.

Mr. Shinwell

Do I understand that the Minister rejects my hon. Friend's proposal that hon. Members should have an opportunity of meeting the new Minister of Power, who is in another place and not acceptable to hon. Members in his assembly, so that we might interrogate him and have our minds illuminated on the subject under his control?

Mr. Maudling

That seems to be quite another point which, I imagine, could not really be discussed arising out of the Question.