§ 4. Mr. Blackburnasked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he is now able to state by whom the extensive deposits of thorium in Travancore, India, are owned; and what steps have been taken to control its disposal.
§ Mr. A. HendersonThe deposits in Travancore are the property of the State of Travancore. Adequate steps to control their disposal have been taken by the State authorities in consultation with the Crown Representative.
§ Mr. BlackburnWill the hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that these are the largest deposits of thorium in the world, from which it is highly probable that both atomic bombs and atomic power can be produced? Will the British Government consider trying to acquire these deposits outright?
§ Mr. HendersonI should like to see that question on the Paper.
§ Sir Wavell WakefieldIs not this a matter of the very greatest importance, and ought not the Government to have acquired the deposits before now?
§ Mr. HendersonI have not said that the Government did not know about it.