HC Deb 15 March 1950 vol 472 cc1075-6
36. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what official communication he has received from Washington concerning the proposals of Senator McMahon, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Committee of the United States Congress, for the international control of atomic energy and the diversion to constructive purposes of a substantial proportion of the defence budgets of all nations; and if, in view of the importance of these proposals, he will cause a discussion of them to be initiated in the most appropriate way.

Mr. Bevin

No communication has been received from the United States Government with regard to Senator McMahon's proposals. Since the proposals would involve a financial burden for the United States Government, it would not be desirable for His Majesty's Government to initiate discussion of them.

Mr. Driberg

While the proposal was, of course, technically unofficial, is it not the case that my right hon. Friend is in constant touch, informally as well as formally, with American spokesmen, and when a serious and important proposal is made by the chairman of the Atomic Committee of Congress, is it not possible for him, even privately, to "grab it with both hands," as he did before on a famous occasion?

Mr. Blackburn

Is it not a fact that the United Nations have discussed this vital subject of atomic energy control for nearly five years, and as my right hon. Friend has rejected the idea of a high level conference, may I ask him what special steps he now proposes to take to see that the United Nations discuss this matter at an early date?

Mr. Bevin

I must have notice of questions on vital international problems. I cannot answer them on supplementaries.

Mr. Driberg

Could I press my right hon. Friend for an answer to my previous question?

Mr. Bevin

I have talks, of course, with other Governments about this important subject, but if a proposal is made by a Member of this House of Commons involving the expenditure of millions of money, it is not the usual practice to begin discussing such a suggestion with some other Government. It must come from the Government. It would be quite improper for me to take up with the United States, officially or unofficially, Senator McMahon's proposal, which involves a tremendous cost to United States taxpayers.

Mr. Blackburn

May I respectfully point out, Mr. Speaker, in view of the Foreign Secretary's statement, that two Questions which I had put down to the Prime Minister were, with your permission, passed over simply because this matter was to be dealt with by the Foreign Secretary.

Commander Noble

In view of the warning which the Foreign Secretary has now had, would he at least give us an assurance that during the next Foreign Affairs Debate he would tell us something more about the Atomic Energy Commission?