§ 48. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the official statement of General Twining, the American Chief of Air Staff, that the use of the atomic bomb in Korea was being discussed; and whether he will give an assurance that, in such consultations, the United Kingdom Government will oppose its use.
§ The Prime MinisterI am informed that in a Press interview at Milwaukee on 16th May General Twining, in reply to a question about the possible use of the atomic bomb in Korea, said that all possible means of deciding the Korean problem were being continually discussed and there was no particular emphasis on any one weapon, method or means of solving this problem. The general made it clear that decisions about national policy were made by the President and that he was not himself advocating any change. The final part of the Question therefore does not arise.
§ Mr. ShinwellHas the Prime Minister observed that recently generals, field marshals, air marshals, admirals and all the rest of them have been having Press interviews and Press conferences and making conflicting statements, a record of which I should be very glad to send him, and is not it about time that they stopped giving these Press interviews and confined themselves to the organisation of defence?
§ The Prime MinisterIf it were decided to make new decisions of this kind about what speeches may be made by officers, retired or otherwise, or in special employment under N.A.T.O.—if a decision were taken in that sense by Her Majesty's Government, it obviously could only apply to Her Majesty's subjects and would not be capable of being made applicable by us to representatives of other countries.
§ Mr. A. HendersonWould not the Prime Minister agree that, in view of the deep concern that most people feel at the possible advent of atomic warfare, officers or anyone else in responsible positions should be extremely careful before they use language which indicates that consideration might be given to the possible use of atom bombs?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not get up in the morning and run about looking for opportunities to say critical things about United States' generals or the generals of any other friendly Power.
§ Mr. HendersonSurely, the Prime Minister is being most unfair? Is it not a fact that my Question merely asks whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been drawn, as a question of fact, to a statement reported in many of the leading newspapers? Why does the Prime Minister suggest that it is criticising someone if one asks for information, especially on a matter like this?
§ The Prime MinisterI rather gathered that that was the object of the Question.
§ Mr. HendersonNo.
§ The Prime MinisterIf I heard him aright, the right hon. and learned Gentleman thought that some protest should be made against this language.
§ Mr. HendersonNo, Sir.
§ Mr. ShinwellDo I understand from the right hon. Gentleman's previous reply that, because we are only associated with N.A.T.O. in the general conception of defence in the West and elsewhere, we have no further responsibilities, and need not take any notice of what our principal military representatives in N.A.T.O. are saying? Is that the doctrine which the Prime Minister is now laying down?
§ The Prime MinisterI really cannot attempt to regulate what is said by generals in the armies of other Powers.
§ Mr. HendersonIn view of the fact that the Prime Minister has gone out of his way to suggest that this Question is directed to criticising certain officers—
§ Mr. Langford-HoltOn a point of order. Before the right hon. and learned Gentleman gives notice to raise this 2076 matter on the Motion for the Adjournment, and while, with due respect, Privy Councillors on the other side of the House are entitled to bob up and put supplementary questions, would it not be appropriate for an hon. Member on this side of the House to have an opportunity of asking a question?
§ Mr. SpeakerHon. Members must leave the selection of Members to me. After all, this is the Question of the right hon. and learned Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. A. Henderson).
§ Mr. HendersonMay I again ask the Prime Minister whether he would take it from me that I am not seeking to criticise any senior officer of the United States? May I ask him whether he would make it clear, on behalf of the Government and the people of this country, that we will not tolerate the use of the atom bomb for the purpose of carrying on the United Nations war in Korea?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that question goes far beyond the original Question. The right hon. and learned Gentleman is asking us to say that we will not tolerate the use of this particular weapon—
§ Mr. HendersonOppose—
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. and learned Gentleman used the words "not tolerate"; I clearly heard them. I do not think that is really the way in which this grave question should be dealt with. No one can really be absolutely clear at any moment what are the deep and profound motives in his spirit and heart which prompt him to take up a particular intellectual position. Therefore, I am not able to answer why I do not think so on the spur of the moment, but I certainly do not think that this would be a wise act at the present time at all, and I do not think there is any idea of it being done; but if Members of Parliament and people in responsible positions are going to look about in the newspapers to find out statements made by United States generals or air marshals and then ask Questions in the House in the hope of extracting some condemnation of them from the Government, I think they are making mischief between countries and inviting the Government to go far beyond their own responsibilities.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonMay I ask the Prime Minister why he wants to treat my right hon. and learned Friend in this way? Is he not aware that my right hon. and learned Friend is a respected Member of this House, courteous and friendly at all times? Why does he want to treat him as if he were an aggressive State?
§ The Prime MinisterNo. Perhaps I might make the right hon. and learned Gentleman a little more popular below the Gangway if I did.