HC Deb 31 January 1957 vol 563 c1171
55. Mr. Jay

asked the Prime Minister what legislative proposals he has for transferring responsibility for the Atomic Energy Authority from the Lord President of the Council to the Minister of Power.

The Prime Minister

My noble Friend the Minister of Power will be the Minister responsible for the nuclear power programme, but the Atomic Energy Authority will remain the responsibility of my noble Friend the Lord President of the Council.

Mr. Jay

Is it clear that the Minister of Power has no authority whatever over the Atomic Energy Authority and that this Ministry of Power is little more than the old Ministry of Fuel and Power without the "Fuel"?

The Prime Minister

The official responsibility given to the Minister includes a general oversight of the iron and steel trade, which is quite a big item. Research which is done by the Atomic Energy Authority is under the Lord President of the Council, but when it comes to practical development and implementation, then it is the work of the Minister of Power.