§ 55. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Prime Minister why the agreement with the United States of America for co-operation on the uses of atomic energy for mutual defence purposes does not include the provision or exchange of nuclear warheads.
§ The Prime MinisterThe United States Atomic Energy Act, as amended, still does not permit the transfer of complete atomic weapons or manufactured nuclear components of such weapons.
§ Mr. ChetwyndDoes not this present agreement therefore involve us in extra duplication of production of these weapons for ourselves, with the necessary expense? Did we really ask for them to be included in the agreement?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. The Act is an Act of Congress. The agreement can be made only to conform to the 1010 Act of Congress. It is now lying on the Table in Congress, and if Congress sits for thirty sitting days between now and the end of the Session I am hoping that the agreement will be accepted. But any agreement made must be in conformity with the Act, and it therefore deals rather with research and development than with the actual interchange of weapons.