§ 50. Mr. G. Brownasked the Prime Minister to what extent during the negotiations leading to the Agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States Governments for Co-operation in the Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defence Purposes he entered into commitments or understandings which might have the effect of surrendering patent rights in the Calder Hall type of reactor.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI have been asked to reply.
No such commitments or understandings were entered into.
§ 51. Mr. G. Brownasked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied that, under the provision of Article 1 of the Agreement 114W between the United Kingdom and the United States Governments for Co-operation in the Use of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defence Purposes, the interests of the United Kingdom will be fully secured in respect of information made available to the United States Government; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI have been asked to reply.
Yes. The other clauses of the Agreement satisfactorily safeguard British interests.
§ 52. Mr. G. Brownasked the Prime Minister what considerations led him to agree to Article V (b) of the Agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States Governments for Co-operation in the Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defence Purposes.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI have been asked to reply.
I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) on 15th July.
§ 53. Mr. Roy Masonasked the Prime Minister what estimate has been made of the effect the recent Atomic Energy Agreement with the United States of America will have in keeping the United Kingdom permanently out of the European market in respect of the export of this country's nuclear reactors, in view of the obligation placed upon Great Britain to convey to the Atomic Energy Commission of the United States of America working knowledge and experience of the Calder Hall type of reactor, and its design and working efficiency.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI have been asked to reply.
I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Atomic Energy Authority's undertakings to make available to the United States Atomic Energy Commission information about the Calder Hall design and about the standard fuel elements used in the Calder Hall reactors. Her Majesty's Government see no reason to expect that these undertakings will have any substantial effect on our export prospects.