asked the Minister for External Affairs whether the Government have yet reached a decision in regard to the offer of the United States Government to provide an atomic reactor, and, if so, if he will state the nature of the decision.

The Government has decided, in principle, to accept the offer by the United States Government of its assistance in the development of the peaceful uses of atomic energy, which offer includes the provision of a research reactor. The terms of the formal agreement between the two Governments are being negotiated and it is hoped to conclude the matter at an early date.