HC Deb 10 November 1964 vol 701 cc38-9W
Q7. Sir Ian Orr-Ewing

asked the Prime Minister what arrangements he is making for Questions concerning the Minister of Technology to be answered in this House.

The Prime Minister

As a temporary arrangement, Questions on matters within the responsibility of the Minister of Technology should be put down to my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science, who will for this purpose occupy the place on the roster of Questions reserved for the Minister.

Mr. Mitchell

asked the Prime Minister who will be responsible for answering Questions relating to the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston.

The Prime Minister

The Minister of Technology will be responsible for the general conduct of the Atomic Energy Authority. No change will be made in the existing arrangements under which contracts and research carried out at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment on behalf of the Ministry of Defence or the Ministry of Aviation will remain the responsibility of those two Departments. Questions relating to this responsibility will be answered as hitherto by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence or my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aviation as appropriate.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to the hon. Member for Hendon, North (Sir Ian Orr-Ewing) about the temporary arrangements for Questions within the field of responsibility of the Minister of Technology.