§ 51. Mr. Masonasked the Prime Minister what directions have been given to the Atomic Energy Authority regarding the mining, extraction, processing, and financing of the production of beryllium for the development of atomic energy.
§ The Prime MinisterNone, Sir.
§ Mr. MasonCan the Prime Minister inform the House to what extent there exists a partnership between the Atomic Energy Authority and Imperial Chemical 1013 Industries in regard to the production of this metal, whereby the State authority finances I. C. I. in the production of it?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. This question of the production of a sufficient amount of this metal for the Atomic Energy Authority is a matter of the day-to-day administration of the Authority with which I would not propose to interfere. The Authority informs me that it has in hand the necessary arrangements to cover its beryllium requirements. If the hon. Gentleman would like to put down a further Question as to the method by which it is covering its requirements I will do my best to reply to him.