§ 4. Mr. Haleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Defence the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the use of napalm bombs by British troops in time of war; and what stocks of these bombs are held by British forces at present.
§ Mr. BirchIn the absence of any agreement prohibiting such weapons, Her Majesty's Government must reserve the right to use the napalm bomb. No stocks are held.
§ Mr. HaleI am sure the Parliamentary Secretary will appreciate that we are glad to hear the second part of that statement, but has he seen the accounts of the use of these bombs on the civilian population in Korea? Has he seen that its principal use is for jellied petrol to attach itself so firmly to the skin that the skin becomes like crackling and that the victim is normally blinded and loses the use of his limbs? Can the hon. Gentleman apply the same considerations to this bomb as we apply at the moment to the use of gin traps for rabbits?