§ 50. Mr. Masonasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the United States Government are in the process of finalising an agreement with Euratom which will give them a much closer association with this organisation than Her Majesty's Government; and, in view of the urgent need for closer co-operation, when negotiations are due to start with Euratom at least to achieve technical collaboration which Her Majesty's Government have in mind.
§ The Prime MinisterPreliminary discussions with Euratom in connection with the technical collaboration agreement, to which my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal referred in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Scotstoun (Sir J. Hutchison) on 22nd May are starting this week.
§ Mr. MasonWhile congratulating Her Majesty's Government on reaching agreement with Japan on the export of a nuclear power station, may I ask whether the Prime Minister is aware that we are lagging lamentably behind the Americans in obtaining nuclear power 896 station contracts in Europe? Are not we somewhat guilty of not treating Euratom with the importance that it deserves? Although I am obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for speeding up the conference, should not we be treating this matter with a greater degree of urgency with a view to making up some of the lost ground?
§ The Prime MinisterAs the hon. Gentleman will be aware, it is not merely a question of the relationship of this body, but, when it comes to commercial agreements, a question of the terms upon which they are made.