§ 45. Sir J. Hutchisonasked the Prime Minister whether it has now been finally decided that this country is to become a member of the European Nuclear Energy 974 Agency; what are the purposes of the agency; and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)I have been asked to reply.
The United Kingdom is a member of the European Nuclear Energy Agency, as are all the other member countries of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation. The purpose of the Agency, in the words of its Statute, is to further the development of the production and uses of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes by the participating countries, through co-operation between those countries and a harmonisation of measures taken on the national level. The Agency came into being on 1st February. The text of the Statute and of related instruments has been published as a White Paper today.
§ Sir J. HutchisonDoes the reply of my right hon. Friend mean that this country is definitely excluded from membership of Euratom, or is it possible to be a member of both? Will he say what funds will be required in connection with our membership of the European Nuclear Energy Agency?
§ Mr. ButlerThe relationship between the Agency and Euratom is as follows: the Agency Statute provides that it shall be established in close collaboration with Euratom whose members are also members of the Agency. Regarding the actual finance, I should want special notice of that question.
§ Mr. H. HyndWill the acting Prime Minister say whether we are going to become members of Euratom?
§ Mr. ButlerI could not enlarge upon my answer in that sense upon this occasion without notice.