HC Deb 10 May 1950 vol 475 cc376-7
45. Mr. Blackburn

asked the Prime Minister what reply he gave to the proposals of the Secretary General of the United Nations made to him on 28th April, 1950, for a new approach to be made on the subject of the control of atomic bombs and other weapons of mass destruction; and what steps His Majesty's Government is taking to have this discussed by the United Nations or otherwise at the first available opportunity.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

I had a short confidential talk with Mr. Trygve Lie when he was in London. Formal proposals of the kind described by my hon. Friend were not before me on this occasion.

Mr. Blackburn

Can the Prime Minister say whether he abides by the policy which he expressed in his election broadcast, that His Majesty's Government are eager and willing to have the issue of the control of weapons of mass destruction discussed at the United Nations at the earliest possible opportunity?

The Prime Minister

I should have thought my hon. Friend would have realised that we have been endeavouring to get full agreement on the matter at the United Nations for a long time, and that it is not our fault that the matter has not been determined.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Did the Prime Minister give Mr. Trygve Lie any encouragement?

Mr. S. Silverman

Does my right hon. Friend's reply to the first supplementary question mean that neither this country nor the United States of America have anything further to say on this matter than has already been said at the discussions in the United Nations?

The Prime Minister

I mean exactly what I said.

Mr. Eden

I want to be clear about this. Do I understand that Mr. Trygve Lie did not, in fact, make any proposals to the right hon. Gentleman at all?

The Prime Minister

No definite proposals at the time. It was a confidential talk. We discussed certain proposals, but there was nothing definite about it.

Mr. Harold Davies

While we welcome the fact that the Prime Minister is maintaining his promise in keeping this discussion to the fore, may I ask my right hon. Friend if he will consider this problem as a priority, and that a little more commonsense and less casuistry in foreign affairs might help the world?

Mr. Henry Strauss

Was notice given of these snap supplementaries from the other side of the House?

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