HC Deb 19 May 1952 vol 501 cc20-1
23. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals have been submitted to the United Nation's Disarmament Commission by Her Majesty's Government for the examination of measures that would be required for the effective collective abolition of bacteriological, radiological and chemical warfare.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

No proposals limited to the matters referred to in the Question have been made to the Disarmament Commission. In accordance with the resolution of the General Assembly, establishing it, the Commission has addressed itself in the first place to the question of disclosure and verification. Its plan of work also provides for examining measures to eliminate weapons of mass destruction; but this stage of the Commission's work has still to be reached.

Mr. Sorensen

As these modern weapons will have to be considered by the Disarmament Commission, is it not necessary for us to have some constructive proposals for consideration by the Commission?

Mr. Lloyd

My own feeling is that it is not a constructive approach to segregate certain weapons or methods of warfare. If only we can lay the foundations for a more general agreement, I believe that the other matters will fall into their proper places. I am not denying the importance of dealing with them at the appropriate time.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Since we have repeatedly committed ourselves in principle to the abolition of these forms of warfare, ought there not now to be the same kind of expert study of bacteriological, radiological and chemical warfare as has so effectively been carried out in the United States in the case of atomic warfare?

Mr. Lloyd

I shall certainly bear that in mind. I cannot, without notice, say whether such an examination has taken place already or not. It is certainly not taking place in the work of the Disarmament Commission.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Surely the right hon. and learned Gentleman recognises that if we are invited to participate in the efforts of the Disarmament Commission towards the abolition of these weapons we should now be studying the measures which will be required to prevent their preparation and to ensure that the prohibition is effective.

Mr. Lloyd

I will be frank with the right hon. Gentleman. I believe that these matters are very much easier to deal with than some of the others and that until we get a basis with regard to the more difficult ones with which we have to deal I am not sure that we are well advised to pursue these matters. I repeat that I do not think it wise to treat certain forms of warfare in isolation.

Mr. Sorensen

Do I understand the right hon. and learned Gentleman to say that he feels that all weapons which are recognised to be weapons of mass destruction must be put in the same category as conventional weapons, and that there is really no difference in their effect or their significance?

Mr. Lloyd

I mean exactly that. I believe that all methods of waging war, provided they are on a sufficient scale, are equally repulsive. I believe that it is a mistake to try to isolate certain methods of waging war from others. When we get agreement we hope to limit conventional armaments and to abolish these weapons of mass destruction.