HC Deb 22 February 1955 vol 537 cc1066-8
48. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Prime Minister what consultations he has had with the Indian Prime Minister with a view to implementing the Government of India's proposal made to the United Nations that all atomic and hydrogen tests should be banned.

The Prime Minister

I do not propose to add to the communiqué issued on 8th February at the end of the Commonwealth Conference.

Mr. Henderson

Without adding to the communiqué, but in view of the fact that the Disarmament Conference is to resume its deliberations on Friday and that this question has been remitted by the Conference to the United Nations General Assembly, will not the Prime Minister take the first step in seeking to deal with this frightful menace to human welfare by at least indicating that Her Majesty's Government will support the proposal of the Government of India?

The Prime Minister

I think that I would rather refer to that in the course of the debate than by an answer given impromptu across the Table of the House.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Before the debate takes place, will the Prime Minister consider that, in addition to the 300 people of various nationalities physically damaged as the result of the hydrogen-bomb experiment last year, a leading American scientist, Dr. Sturtevant, has estimated that 1,800 babies have been born adversely affected by radioactivity, and suffering from mental aberration or physical defect; and will Her Majesty's Government give support to the suspension of the tests while the disarmament discussions are going on?

The Prime Minister

I should certainly not associate myself in any way with such a decision at the present time, nor in the course of Questions in the House of Commons.

Mr. Strachey

Is the Prime Minister aware that the supreme advantage of this proposal is that it is, in the words of Professor Oppenheimer, self-policing, since the scientists can detect atomic or nuclear explosions anywhere in the world, and, therefore, that this is a practicable limitation and could be agreed on by the nations of the world?

The Prime Minister

I have nothing to add to what I have said. This is a very grave matter affecting the whole future of mankind. We have a view and a policy, and we intend to pursue it. It has to some extent been set forth in the White Paper and will be freely debated by the House in the prolonged debates which we shall have, and which begin next week.

Mr. Henderson

Does the reply of the right hon. Gentleman mean that, when the occasion comes next week, he will state the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the proposal of the Government of India?

The Prime Minister

We have not accepted that proposal.

Mr. Henderson

May I ask the Prime Minister whether, without committing himself or the Government to having accepted anything, he is proposing to deal with the proposal of the Government of India—without necessarily accepting it?

The Prime Minister

I think that the general scope of my argument will carry this matter in its train.