HC Deb 18 July 1962 vol 663 cc426-8
22. Mr. Blyton

asked the Lord Privy Seal what new proposals he has made to Euratom for handing over to them British nuclear information.

Mr. Heath

The proposals which I have made to the European Atomic Energy Community are contained in my Opening Statement to the Member States in Brussels on 3rd July, which has been published as a White Paper (Cmnd. 1767).

There is no question of our passing classified defence information to Euratom.

In general the transfer of technical information of a commercial character will continue on much the same lines as at present, namely by the licensing of the use of patents on a commercial basis.

The only information which would automatically be shared would be information about the Community's own research programme or about research projects in which the Community shares.

I am arranging for the circulation of a more detailed statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Blyton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Britain has spent millions of pounds on nuclear research and development which it will be giving away and getting nothing in return? Is he also aware that the new policy for European energy requirements, in the document on synthesis, is to cut coal production by half by 1970? Does he not think that his discredited Government should go to the country now and let the country decide this matter?

Mr. Heath

I have given the House a very full Answer, showing that the first part of the hon. Gentleman's carefully prepared supplementary question was completely wrong. There is no question of giving away information in the manner he has suggested.

Following is the statement:

Disclosure of Information to Euratom

The Euratom Treaty does not require Member States or their nationals to disclose to the Euratom Commission or other Mem- ber States the results of their own atomic research and development programmes. There are provisions to encourage dissemination within the European Atomic Energy Community of information about the peaceful uses of atomic energy. Except for information owned or acquired by the Commission under its own research programme these provisions in general depend on voluntary cooperation. In certain limited circumstances the Euratom Commission can order a compulsory licence to be granted for the use of a patent. If this power is used, the person granted the licence must pay compensation to the patent holder. The amount is assessed, at the patent holder's choice, either by an Arbitration Committee set up under the Treaty or by the national authorities in the patent holder's country.

Member States and their nationals are required to disclose to the Commission details of new investment projects in the civil nuclear field and of the operations of their civil nuclear establishments. Information about the investment projects can only be published with the consent of the person or enterprise communicating it.

I made it clear in my opening statement in the Euratom negotiations on 3rd July that we are proceeding on the assumption that we shall not be required to disclose or permit the disclosure of classified defence information to the Euratom Commission or to other Member States.