§ 49. Mr. Hoggasked the Prime Minister when he will be in a position to state the policy of His Majesty's Government regarding the principles of political action to be followed as a result of the invention of the atomic bomb.
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member will be aware that the President of the United States has recently expressed the wish to initiate discussions on this subject first with Great Britain and Canada, and then with other nations, with the object of reaching agreement on the conditions under which co-operation might replace rivalry in the field of atomic energy. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom will of course be happy to participate in such discussions. Mean while they have been keeping in close touch with the United States Government, as well as pursuing their own studies through the Advisory Committee, of which I informed the House before the Recess, but I cannot name a date for a statement of the kind that the hon. Member has in mind.
§ Mr. HoggMay not the people of this country be told something about the views which the right hon. Gentleman and his Cabinet have upon this matter?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, certainly, but I think the people of this country would agree that in this matter we want to keep in the closest possible contact with our friends in the United States and Canada.
§ The Prime MinisterCertainly, in due course.