HL Deb 08 July 1959 vol 217 cc924-5

[The references are to Bill (55) as first printed for the House of Commons]

Clause 1, page 1, line 9, leave out from ("a") to ("or") in line 10, and insert ("fission process in which a controlled chain reaction can be maintained without an additional source of neutrons;")

LORD MILLS

My Lords, last December the noble Lord, Lord Shackleton. proposed an Amendment to Clause 1 (1) (a) of the Bill in order to exclude "sub-critical assemblies" from its scope. I promised to have this proposal examined and, if necessary to have a Government Amendment tabled at a later stage. This has now been done in another place. I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.

Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(Lord Mills.)

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I should like to thank the Minister for giving effect to the consideration as he promised, and to say that I understand it is satisfactory that the sub-critical exponential assemblies will now be free to operate. I would say that atomic energy appears comparatively quiet compared with the flux of neutrons we have recently had from the Lord President.

On Question, Motion agreed to.