ATOMIC UNERGY Act QU=STION Mr. President, last week you indicated tnat you favored Liberalizing the Atomic Enerpy Act to permit a greater exchange of information with our allies as well as possibly transferring nuclear weavons to them. Would you care to comment on this? AUSVER At my last press conference, I] reiterated my views that the United States should do all that is possible to insure that our allies are armed in such metheds and ways as will make our collective defense the strongest. Present law does not anthorize the United States to transfer the ownership and custody of nuclear weapons to other nations under conditions of peacetime or cive to them any information except under carefully restricted conditions. As to possible amendments, I believe the statement issued by the White House clarified this matter. WHITE HOUSi STATEMENT "The question of possible amendments to the Atomic Inergy Act in relation to the transfer of nuclear weapons or information concerning them to other friendly nations is, like all major policy matters, under continuing review within the Ixecvtive Branch. “here is no executive proposal now before the Congress or in preparation for amendments to the Act in either ofthese respects." FRENCH TEST QUESTION Ir. President, could you tell us what ovr posit:on is on the recent French nuclear test? ANSUER I have nothing to add to the statement issued by the Denartment of State last Saturday, (Statewent attac'ied. ) REPRODUCED AT THE DWIGHTD. EISENHOWER LIBRARY QUESTION Ir, President, do you believe France now qualifies under the Atomic Energy Act for receint of information in the sense that the United Kingdom now doas?