The Atomic Energy Act 1946 (9 & 10 Geo. 6. c. 80) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which vested in the Minister of Supply the power to control and promote the development of atomic energy in the UK.
Background Following the pioneering development of atomic energy, and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it was thought expedient to vest the control of the development and production of atomic energy in the UK government. The primary concern was national security: the power of atomic energy could be used to jeopardise the safety of the state. The Act gave the government control over what was envisaged to became a wide field of industrial activity, and to protect the country from the danger of a possible hostile attack.
Provisions Long title: 'An Act to provide for the development of atomic energy and the control of such development, and for purposes connected therewith.'
The act received royal assent on 6 November 1946.
The act comprises 21 Sections under six headings plus two schedules:
General Functions of Minister of Supply
Section 1. General duty of Minister of Supply Section 2. General powers of Minister Section 3. Grants and loans of Minister
Powers to obtain information and to inspect
Section 4. Power to obtain information of materials, plant and processes Section 5. Power of entry and inspection
Power to search for and work minerals and acquire property
Section 6. Power to do work for purpose of discovering minerals Section 7. Compulsory acquisition of rights to work minerals Section 8. Compulsory acquisition of prescribed substances, stocks of minerals and plant Section 9. Compulsory acquisition of rights under contract
Control of production and use of atomic energy and publication of information
Section 10. Control of production and use of atomic energy Section 11. Restriction on disclosure of information relating to plant
Special provisions as to inventions
Section 12. Special provisions as to inventions
General Provisions
Section 13. Disclosure of information obtained under Act Section 14. Offences and penalties Section 15. Provisions as to orders Section 16. Expenses Section 17. Service of notices Section 18. Definitions Section 19. Application to Scotland Section 20. Application to Northern Ireland Section 21. Short title
Schedules
First Schedule - Compensation for Work done in Searching for Minerals Second Schedule - Compulsory Acquisition of Certain Property
See also Atomic Energy Authority Act Atomic Energy Research Establishment
Notes
References
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