HC Deb 06 March 1958 vol 583 cc1337-8
53. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Prime Minister what will be the extent of the British association with the new agreement for joint working between Euratom and the United States Government.

The Prime Minister

I understand that the agreement provides for co-operation between the United States and Euratom on the erection of prototype nuclear power reactors in the Euratom countries. Her Majesty's Government are not associated with this agreement. We favour the forms of co-operation which I mentioned on Tuesday. We have for instance already signed an agreement with Italy covering the supply of power reactors, and an Italian undertaking has decided to buy such a reactor from a British firm. We are ready to make other arrangements of this kind.

Mr. Hynd

Is it not regrettable that we are not associated with this agreement? Is it not desirable that we should be in on all these movements in view of the lead which this country gave in the peaceful use of atomic energy?

The Prime Minister

I do not think we can play a useful part in this agreement for the provision of nuclear power reactor prototypes. What is very satisfactory is signs that we are making satisfactory bilateral agreements and the growth of the export trade in that direction.