HC Deb 27 May 1946 vol 423 cc818-20
46. Mr. Blackburn

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will support the proposal before the Atomic Commission of the United Nations that all significant supplies of uranium and thorium throughout the world shall be owned or controlled by the United Nations.

Mr. H. Morrison

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is not aware that any such proposal has yet been made to the United Nations Commission. This is clearly only one aspect of the general problem of the international control of atomic energy, about which His Majesty's Government prefer to make no statement in advance of the discussions in the United Nations Commission.

Mr. Blackburn

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this proposal is contained in the American Report on the control of atomic energy, and that it has the support of almost all informed opinion in both Britain and America; and cannot he make some more welcoming statement about this proposal?

Mr. Morrison

My hon. Friend's Question asked whether the Government would support the proposal before the Atomic Energy Commission of the United Nations. It may be that there are such proposals before them, but we do not think it right to make any pronouncement until the Commission has had time to consider them.

Mr. David Grenfell

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that we should take the initiative in placing this matter before the Commission, as otherwise it is in danger of being lost sight of, and somebody must take the initiative before it can be discussed?

Mr. Morrison

We did take that initiative. We were parties to bringing the matter before the United Nations. It would not be right for the Government to make an ex parte statement before the Commission has had the opportunity of considering it.

Mr. Blackburn

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Secretary of State Byrnes has in fact made a statement welcoming this particular proposal, and the proposals in the American Report, in general terms, and will His Majesty's Government consider making some statement parallel to that already made by the American Secretary of State?

Mr. Morrison

I doubt whether that would be wise. We are parties to the discussion in the United Nations Commission, and I do not think it would be appropriate for us to make statements in advance. We shall, of course, be ready to make a statement when the United Nations Commission has come to its conclusion.

Mr. Blackburn

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter at the earliest opportunity.