HC Deb 25 July 1955 vol 544 cc818-20
41. Mr. P. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the official proposal made by Mr. Cabot Lodge in the United Nations General Assembly, that a scientific inquiry should be made by the United Nations into the dangers of radio-activity resulting from the test explosion of nuclear bombs, he will propose the suspension by all governments of such tests for the period of one year while the inquiry is made.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Miffing)

No, Sir.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Now that the Russian Government have officially proposed the suspension of the tests, would not it be much wiser for the Government to agree to it for at least a year while scientific inquiries are made? Why cannot we agree? Is it because we wish to test the hydrogen bomb ourselves? If so, would it not be much more in the spirit of the Geneva Conference to hold it up?

Mr. Nutting

If the right hon. Gentleman looks at the Russian proposal of 10th May in the Disarmament Conference, he will see that the Russians do not propose that there should be this suspension of atomic and nuclear test explosions as an isolated act. They suggest that the suspension of the tests should form an early part of a disarmament agreement, which is an entirely different proposal from that of the right hon. Gentleman.

42. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, with a view to facilitating the acquisition of scientific knowledge on radiation by both official and unofficial agencies, Her Majesty's Government will now consult with the other Governments concerned on the cessation of all nuclear tests until such scientific knowledge is obtained.

Mr. Nutting

No, Sir. I am advised that the cessation of nuclear tests would be of no assistance to scientific research into the problems of radiation. As I told the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 20th July, our policy is to work for an international disarmament agreement covering conventional and nuclear armaments.

Mr. Henderson

Does the Minister's reply mean that at the forthcoming meeting of the United Nations Disarmament Commission the question of banning tests will be considered? May I ask the Minister whether he is aware of the continuous evidence being produced by official as well as unofficial agencies, culminating in a report of an international medical commission, I think last week, on the dangers of radio-activity? Does not he consider the matter to be urgent?

Mr. Nutting

As the right hon. and learned Gentleman knows, the Medical Research Council is going into this whole question and the result of this examination will be laid before Parliament and the public. So far as our existing information goes, it is based on the statement by Sir John Cockcroft on 20th April to the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee that: The level of radioactive contamination in the world produced by all the atomic bomb explosions and peaceful atomic energy activities is at present so low that it should not cause any anxiety.

Mr. Henderson

Can the Minister at least undertake that this matter will be discussed at the forthcoming meeting in September? Will he not at least agree to discuss it?

Mr. Nutting

Everything relevant to disarmament will no doubt be discussed at the forthcoming meeting.

Mr. Henderson

Including this?