§ 45. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Prime Minister whether he will depute the Paymaster-General to observe the forthcoming atomic test in Australia.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Winston Churchill)As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Bermondsey (Mr. Mellish) on 25th February, no Ministers will be visiting Australia to view the test of the United Kingdom atomic weapon there.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonDoes the Prime Minister really favour the discharge at such long distance of the responsibilities of the Paymaster-General in the field of atomic development? Would it not, perhaps, be in the public interest to ensure 470 that, as between the Paymaster-General and the forthcoming explosion, there should be a somewhat closer contact?
§ 46. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Prime Minister which other Governments have been invited to send observers to the forthcoming atomic test in Australia.
§ The Prime MinisterNone, Sir.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs it not desirable, at a time when the economic and other relationships between the Commonwealth countries are more disrupted than ever before, that, in this respect at any rate, they should be brought into consideration which would enable Commonwealth observers to be present, if not Australian observers at least?—May I ask if the Prime Minister will condescend to answer that question, because it seems that Commonwealth relations are involved to some extent? If he is not interested in the matter, then, of course, he need not answer the question.
§ The Prime MinisterIt was after full consideration of all those points that I gave my somewhat comprehensive or, rather, exclusively comprehensive answer, "None, Sir."
§ 47. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister to what extent the safety of bird and animal life has been considered in relation to the atomic weapon tests that are to be carried out at the Montebello Islands, Australia.
§ The Prime MinisterThe report of a recent special survey showing that there is very little animal or bird life on the Montebello Islands was one of the factors in the choice of the site for the test of the United Kingdom atomic weapon.
I should add, however, that an expedition which went to the islands 50 years ago reported that giant rats, wild cats and wallabies were seen, and these may have caused the hon. Member some anxiety. However, the officer who explored the islands recently says that he found only some lizards, two sea eagles and what looked like a canary sitting on a perch.
§ Mr. HughesWill the Prime Minister tell us whether any competent officer will go on this expedition? Is he aware that there are still civilised people in this country who are interested in bird and 471 animal life? Will he get some report which will satisfy civilised human beings that no unnecessary destruction of wild life will take place?
§ The Prime MinisterCertainly. I think everything should be done to avoid the destruction of bird life and animal life and also of human life.