Oral Answers to Questions — Atomic Energy Authority (Technical Information)

– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 12 May 1959.

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Photo of Mr Anthony Kershaw Mr Anthony Kershaw , Stroud 12:00, 12 May 1959

asked the Prime Minister what recent directions he has given regarding the supply of technical information by the Atomic Energy Authority to private enterprise research; and whether he will make a statement.

Photo of Mr Harold Macmillan Mr Harold Macmillan , Bromley

None, Sir. The Atomic Energy Authority has extensive arrangements for collaboration with industry and others on the development of the peaceful uses of atomic energy.

Photo of Mr Anthony Kershaw Mr Anthony Kershaw , Stroud

is my right hon. Friend aware that there is an impression, rightly or wrongly, that the Atomic Energy Authority is much more willing to give information about its work to the larger consortia than to smaller firms more recently on the field? Can he say whether that impression is well founded or not?

Photo of Mr Harold Macmillan Mr Harold Macmillan , Bromley

I do not think it is well founded. It is, of course, true that there is certainly no discrimination between firms of different sizes, but, naturally, from ordinary business reasons the Authority does have regard to the resources of the particular firms in deciding whether or not to enter into arrangements for the exchange of information and so forth.