§ 62. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the advances made up-to-date in Britain in the uses of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes generally, and, in particular, in relation to shipping.
§ The Prime MinisterFull details of the work of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority on the peaceful uses of atomic energy are given in the Authority's Third Annual Report, published last July. The construction of the first four power stations of the civil nuclear power programme is under way. Studies of the economic propulsion of merchant ships by nuclear power, covering several types of reactor, have been put in hand under the direction of the Committee under my hon. Friend the Civil Lord of the Admiralty.
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§ Mr. Masonasked the Prime Minister how far there is free exchange of atomic energy information for peaceful purposes with the United States of America; and if he will list the pacts and agreements ruling this exchange.
§ The Prime MinisterThere are continuous and valuable exchanges between the United States Atomic Energy Commission and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority of information and experimental data on the work which each country is doing on the peaceful uses of atomic energy. These exchanges are governed by the Agreement between the United States and United Kingdom Governments for Co-operation on the Civil Uses of Atomic Energy concluded in June, 1955 (Cmd. 9560), as amended in November, 1955 (Cmd. 9677), and June, 1956 (Cmd. 9789).