§ 12. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the recent official proposal by the Government of Canada with regard to nuclear tests, he will now state what arrangements have been made for the proposed discussions on the limitation of nuclear tests.
§ Lord John HopeI am not aware of any such proposal.
§ Mr. HendersonIs not the hon. Gentleman really evading the substance of the Question? Will he look at the latter part of the Question, which asks whether he 1374 will now make a statement about the proposed discussions on the limitation of nuclear tests? Will he answer that part of the Question?
§ Lord John HopeI have no statement to make on that subject from the premise of the right hon. Gentleman's own Question, where he talked about the Canadian proposals.
§ 23. Mr. P. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a further statement about the steps he proposes to take to secure the earliest possible agreement for the prohibition of the test explosions of thermo-nuclear weapons.
§ Lord John HopeThe question refers to the prohibition of nuclear tests. Her Majesty's Government stand by the Anglo-French proposals of 19th March, which provide for the prohibition of nuclear tests at an appropriate stage in a comprehensive disarmament plan.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerFollowing up what the Prime Minister has already said to the House, will the Joint Under-Secretary represent to the Foreign Secretary that this is a matter of great urgency and that the total prohibition of thermo-nuclear tests might prevent the development of hydrogen warheads for guided missiles, which would be a major danger to this country?
§ Lord John HopeI will certainly pass on to my right hon. Friend the observations of the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. A. HendersonHave the Government completed their studies of the proposals recently put forward by Mr. Shepilov, the Soviet Foreign Minister, and are they proposing to enter into discussions with the Soviet Government on the basis of those proposals?
§ Lord John HopeNo formal proposal has been made to Her Majesty's Government.