HC Deb 27 June 1956 vol 555 cc487-8
51. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Lord Privy Seal in what way the results of nuclear test explosions for war purposes differ from nuclear explosions for the peaceful use of atomic energy; and to what extent the latter type of explosion is contemplated.

Mr. R. A. Butler

If the right hon. and learned Gentleman has in mind such results as radio-active fall-out, there is no reason to suppose that the results of explosions differ according to whether their purposes are warlike or peaceful. Nuclear explosions for peaceful purposes are not contemplated by Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Henderson

In view of the fact that Her Majesty's Government have proposed in the Disarmament Sub-Committee that eventually nuclear explosions for war purposes shall be prohibited, but that nuclear explosions for peaceful purposes shall be allowed under international control, how does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile that position with the fact that he has just stated that there is no difference between the two types of explosion?

Mr. Butler

I can only state what is the intention of Her Majesty's Government, namely, that nuclear explosions for peaceful purposes are not contemplated.

52. Mr. Warbey

asked the Lord Privy Seal to what extent the development of the peaceful uses of thermo-nuclear energy is dependent upon experimental thermo-nuclear explosions.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 20th June to the hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason).

Mr. Warbey

May we take it that that reply covered thermo-nuclear explosions as well as atomic explosions, and that therefore it is now possible to dispose completely of the argument that it is necessary to explode a hydrogen bomb in order to obtain research data on the peaceful use of hydrogen energy?

Mr. Butler

I should not like to follow the hon. Member in the points which he has put; I do not think they would be correct. The reply to the hon. Member for Barnsley on 20th June referred primarily to the atomic field.

Mr. Warbey

On a point of order. In that case the right hon. Gentleman has not answered my Question.

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order.