§ 65 and 66. Mr. Pentlandasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science (1) what was the purpose of the recent visit to the Soviet Union of the Chairman and other members of the Atomic Energy Authority; and what conclusions they drew from the visit;
(2) if he will state the nature of the collaboration existing between the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the State Committee of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for the Utilisation of Atomic Energy; and to what extent negotiations are taking place on further collaboration in the peaceful uses of atomic energy.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethThe Chairman of the Atomic Energy Authority was invited to visit the Soviet Union by the Chairman of the State Committee of the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R. for the Utilisation of Atomic Energy.
The purpose of Sir Roger Makins' visit was to return a visit to the United Kingdom by the Chairman of the State Committee in May, 1961; and to make arrangements for a further period of collaboration in the civil use of atomic energy under the agreement entered into by the Authority and the State Committee at that time. Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the successful operation of the agreement since May, 1961, and arrangements were made to continue the exchange of documents and scientific visits in the period up to the middle of 1964. The arrangements will then be reviewed again.
The principal conclusion drawn by the team led by the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Authority was that a further period of collaboration with the U.S.S.R. would be of mutual benefit. I am glad that Sir Roger Makins has been able to 114W reach agreement with the State Committee about this and to establish relations of confidence with them.