§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology what is his policy on the relationship between obligations under Anglo-American defence agreements about the exchange of nuclear weapons information and plans for European collaboration in developing the cheap gas-centrifuge route to high-grade nuclear fuel.
§ Mr. BennThere is no direct relationship. The United Kingdom-American defence agreement on atomic cooperation is principally concerned with the exchange of weapons information which is quite a different matter from either the technology of centrifuges or plans for collaboration in the development of centrifuges.
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§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on his negotiations with the United States Atomic Energy Commission in relation to the cheap gas-centrifuge route to high-grade nuclear fuel.
§ Mr. BennInformal consultations with the United States authorities on matters within the ambit of the bilateral Agreement for co-operation on the civil uses of atomic energy take place from time to time on a confidential basis.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on his negotiations with the Dutch and German Governments in relation to the cheap gas-centrifuge route to high-grade nuclear fuel.
§ Mr. BennThese discussions are proceeding satisfactorily, but further work has to be done before any definite scheme can emerge for Ministerial consideration.