§ 48. Mr. G. R. Straussasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact, as disclosed by the recent accident at Wind-scale, that the responsibility for atomic energy matters involves much detailed study of highly technical problems, he will consider transferring that responsibility from himself to a senior Minister in the House of Commons.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir; I consider that the existing arrangement is the most suitable at the present time.
§ Mr. StraussDoes not the Prime Minister agree that it is wrong in principle that a Prime Minister, who is bound to be burdened with many matters of broad and important policy, should be burdened with the detailed affairs that are bound to arise from time to time in an organisation such as the Atomic Energy Authority?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that there are disadvantages but, on the whole, at the present time, when the various uses of atomic power are so much in the field that the Prime Minister of the day must in any case have under his control, I think there are advantages, and that it works pretty well. With regard to the 776 detailed work, I am very much helped in discharging it by my right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General.