HC Deb 07 December 1955 vol 547 cc359-60
6. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the dangers to world health from the recent hydrogen bomb test in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and from the forthcoming tests in the Pacific announced by the United States of America, Her Majesty's Government will now raise this matter as one of urgency in the United Nations in an effort to get world agreement to ban further tests.

33. Mr. Beswick

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken to inform the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics that he is now ready to discuss the question of stopping further experimental explosions of the hydrogen bomb.

Mr. H. Macmillan

I have nothing to add to the replies given by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, to the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition on 30th November, and the hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason) on 6th December.

Mrs. Castle

But did not the Prime Minister's reply ignore the fact that this is just the moment to stop the hydrogen bomb tests, because East and West have now reached parity in the development of the fission-fusion-fission bomb? In view of this, is it not disastrous for us, in order to have our own miserable little bomb, to hold up the ban on tests, which means that America will go on in the spring, as already announced, with the explosion of bigger and better bombs?

Mr. Macmillan

The Prime Minister dealt exhaustively with this matter yesterday, and I should prefer not to add to that answer.

Mr. Beswick

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has not answered Question No. 33? In his replies, the Prime Minister said that he was perfectly ready to discuss these matters. I am asking what steps he has taken to inform other countries that he is ready to discuss them. The question therefore is, did the Prime Minister mean what he said when he said that he was perfectly ready to discuss these matters, and if so, what has been done about it?

Mr. Macmillan

If the question is addressed to me, "Did the Prime Minister mean what he said?" I think that I can answer it, without undue risk, in the affirmative.

Mr. Strachey

Whilst fully agreeing with the Prime Minister's statement that it was necessary in present circumstances to continue developing the British hydrogen bomb and, if necessary, test it, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman would not agree that that is no reason for not starting negotiations for a ban on the series of tests, which may become progressively greater and be joined in by more and more nations and, therefore, become a very great danger for the world?

Mr. Macmillan

All these are, of course, very important questions but, as I said, I would prefer not to add to what the Prime Minister said yesterday.

Mr. Callaghan

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Question No. 33 asks a perfectly simple, straightforward question? Has our Ambassador been asked to approach the Russian authorities to see how far they are ready to follow up the Moscow broadcast? Is not that at least one initiative which ought to have been taken?

Mr. Macmillan

This is a question which the hon. Member must know is of very great importance, and any statements made would need careful consideration. I think that I have a right as well as a duty to say that I do not propose to add to what the Prime Minister said yesterday.