HC Deb 19 December 1956 vol 562 cc1258-9
25. Mr. Parkin

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what initiative Her Majesty's Government are taking during the current session of the United Nations Assembly to secure an agreement to suspend hydrogen bomb tests.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

Her Majesty's Government stand by the Anglo-French comprehensive disarmament plan which provides for the prohibition of tests at an appropriate stage and under proper safeguards. Her Majesty's Government's interest in the limitation of such tests is well known, and that possibility is now being explored.

Mr. Parkin

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman assure us that Her Majesty's Government are taking the initiative in the current session of the United Nations to press these points of view and to press for an agreement? Will he publicly dissociate himself from those maniacs who are now saying that provided we have a big enough bomb there is no longer any need to worry about alliances or international agreements or even about how we are to earn an honest living in the world?

Mr. Lloyd

I should like to see the words of the quotation from which I have been asked to dissociate myself.

Mr. Parkin

In HANSARD today.

Mr. Lloyd

As for the suggestion for an initiative, I would point out that in answer to an earlier Question in the House I indicated what would happen in the near future about meetings on disarmament. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that our interest in a limitation of the tests will certainly be raised.

Mr. A. Henderson

In view of the fact that the Russian Government put forward their latest proposals on 17th November and that the United States Government put forward their recent proposals only two or three days ago, do Her Majesty's Government propose to make any statement to the House as to their latest proposals, in view of the fact that we are rising on Friday?

Mr. Lloyd

No, Sir. I do not think that a statement will be made to the House upon this matter before we rise, because I think these two sets of proposals need careful consideration before we reach our conclusions on them.