§ 47. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister what reply he has made to the letter sent to him from the Society of Friends urging the Government to declare that this country will neither manufacture nor use atomic or bacterial weapons and calling for a drastic cut in armaments.
§ The Prime MinisterI have taken note of the views expressed in the minute enclosed with the letter, which has been acknowledged. I am not convinced, however, that a declaration of the kind proposed would in fact achieve the purposes desired by the Society of Friends.
§ Mr. HughesIs not the Prime Minister aware that he is losing a splendid opportunity to give moral leadership to the 34 world? Does he think that by making atomic bombs, and going in for bacterial warfare, we can add to the security of this country?
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend puts two or three questions in one supplementary question. I have already explained that I do not think that this would be the best way of forwarding the aims of the Society of Friends. I think it is much better that we should seek to arrive at disarmament all round in these matters, rather than by a unilateral declaration, which has not proved effective in the past.
§ Mr. AustinWill my right hon. Friend see to it that the enthusiasm of the mititary for these loathsome weapons does not override consideration of the humanities on the part of the Government?