HC Deb 18 February 1957 vol 565 cc35-6W
Mr. D. Price

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress has been made in the construction of the laboratory of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research and in the recruitment of staff for this laboratory; and when the first accelerator will be ready to operate.

Mr. H. Nicholls

Substantial progress has been made in the construction of both buildings and apparatus. The first accelerator should be in operation in the second half of this year. Most of the components for the large accelerator have been ordered and adequate progress is being made on its housing and experimental buildings.

Recruitment is proceeding satisfactorily and the staff now numbers some 480.

Mr. D. Price

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether there is to be an agreed division of research fields between the European Organisation for Nuclear Research and the nuclear research authorities of the member countries; and what co-ordination of research projects there is to be.

Mr. H. Nicholls

The research activities of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research are intended to be complementary to those of member countries since the facilities provided will be beyond the means of most of them individually. The Council of the Organisation, in deciding its research programme, takes fully into account research proceeding or proposed in member countries.