Pages 76-77 from FO 371 110691 - Atomic Energy

The document is a letter from the Department of Atomic Energy's Secretariat, dated January 18, 1954, addressed to E.H. Peck at the Foreign Office. The letter discusses observations on Washington telegram No. 114 and expresses general agreement with the points raised. The key points are as follows:

1. In response to paragraph 4 of the telegram, it is suggested that the contribution of atomic materials should be limited to vital and essential substances like uranium, fissile material, and possibly thorium. The inclusion of materials like heavy water and graphite could create a peculiar composition for the proposed body.

2. Concerning paragraph 5, the ambiguity of distinguishing between the relative quantities of natural uranium and fissile material is noted. The measurement of fissile material equivalent to one or two hundred tons of uranium would be in kilograms, not tons.

3. The request for arguments from Cockcroft regarding the exclusion of isotope supply is acknowledged, but it is questioned whether this point needs to be separately emphasized in the telegram since it has already been addressed in a general note prepared for Ministers.

4. Agreement is expressed with the comments on paragraph 6, which stresses the importance of conveying to the Americans that the participation or non-participation of the Russians is significant. Reference is made to the Prime Minister's remark that "there is no future in this without Russian participation."