HC Deb 04 May 1954 vol 527 c200
45. Lieut-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

asked the Prime Minister what requests he has received from Her Majesty's Opposition to publish the terms of the 1948 agreement on atomic matters.

The Prime Minister (Sir Winston Churchill)

I have not received any such request.

Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

But is my right hon. Friend aware that there is great anxiety amongst all parties in this House as to what actually were the terms of this agreement? Is it not a fact that, under the terms of the agreement, this country gave up the right to veto the use of the atomic bomb by the United States of America and that there fore our finger is no longer on the safety catch?

Hon. Members

Speech.

Mr. Speaker

Order, order. I must ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman to try to ask his question succinctly.

Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

Just two more little teasers, if I may, Sir. [Interruption.] Order. Was this right given away in return for American aid, and is there any means whereby the people of this country can know exactly what rights were given away in order to obtain money with which to finance the Socialist experiment?

The Prime Minister

I am afraid that there was so much spontaneous barracking and disorder that I could not gather the full import of the question.