Independence and Deterrence - Arnold, Lorna

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Résumé :
Independence and Deterrence , commissioned by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, continues the story of Britain's atomic project begun in Britain and Atomic Energy 1939-1945 , and covers the years from 1945 to the first British bomb test at the end of 1952. Volume 1 studies policy making at the highest levels - the strategic, political and international considerations, the administrative and constitutional machinery. It shows how and why Britain decided to make atomic bombs and follows traumatic negotiations for Anglo-American atomic collaboration and their effect on Britain's relations with Europe and the Commonwealth. There is important material on Anglo-Canadian affairs. The book sheds new light on Britain's rights to consultation on any American use of atmoic bombs. Volume 2 studies the execution of the project. It analyses the cost of the project in money and manpower, the problems of health and safety, secrecy and security, the relationship between government and private industry. Above all it gives a 'nuts and bolts' description of the work of the scientists and engineers in carrying out - with great success - a complex technological project operating on the furthest frontiers of knowledge, which culminated in making and testing the Mark I weapon. There is an illuminating chapter on the origins of Britian's nuclear power programme and her choice of reactor. These chapters emphasise not only ecomomic, managerial and technological aspects, but also the great influence of personalities. This is the first peacetime official history to be authorised for publication. It has been written with free access to official documents and very little has been modified or omitted on public interest grounds. Most of the material is completely new. Ronald Clark wrote of Britain and Atomic Energy , '[Mrs Gowning] has been able to let cats out of bags by the litterful'. This is even more true of Independence and Deterrence.

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Sommaire:
List of Plates Introduction A Note on Documentation List of Abbreviations PART 1: THE FRAMEWORK The Men Resources The Context Money Manpower Appendix 16: Atomic Energy Annual Expenditure Appendix 17: Atomic Energy Expenditure: Some Comparative Figures Appendix 18: Some Salary Scales Appendix 19: Atomic Energy Project Strengths Health and Safety Security 'Classification' Publicity Personal Security The Role of Private Industry and Government Agencies Choice of Entrepreneur The Use of Government Agencies The Use of Private Industry Appendix 20: 'The Site Takes Shape': The Building of Aldermaston PART 2: THE ENTERPRISE Research: Harwell's Role Terms of Reference Curiosity-Oriented Research: Frontiers with Universities Frontiers with Risley and the Weapons Establishment Appendix 21: Harwell's Accelerators Appendix 22: Deployment of Scientific and Technical Staff at Harwell Nuclear Power: Feasibility Studies Appendix 23: Natural Uranium Reactors: Economic Factors in Power Production (R. V. Moore) Radioisotopes 'For Peaceful and Humanitarian Ends' Production Plans Legislation Divided Responsibilities The Achievement The Factories: Programmes and Methods Programmes Methods The Individual Factories The Uranium Metal Plant The Piles The Chemical Separation Plants The Gaseous Diffusion Plant The Weapon The Establishment The Work Monte Bello The Trial is Planned The Expedition Appendix 24: Map of the Monte Bello Islands Epilogue Appendix 25: Technical Note Appendix 26: Chronology of Events: April 1945-October 1952 References Index