§ 33. Mr. Fenner Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what instructions Her Majesty's Government have given to their representative in regard to the debate on the report of the visiting mission of the United Nations Trusteeship Council on the plight of the exiles evacuated from Bikini for atomic tests.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Lord John Hope)It is not the practice of Her Majesty's Government to reveal instructions given to Her Majesty's Representatives on international bodies.
§ Mr. BrockwayWould the hon. Member bear in mind that it is the last conceivable irony that the people of an island which has been placed in the trust of a great Power should be removed from that island and should have to petition that Power against the operation of hydrogen or atom bombs there?
§ Lord John HopeI will certainly bear in mind what the hon. Member says, but I think he will find that things are not going so badly in this direction as he appears to fear.
§ Mr. RobensCan we rely on that latter statement? Did not the hon. Member say that about Jordan, that the thing would be all right if only left alone?
§ Lord John HopeThat is an entirely different question. On that occasion, as the right hon. Gentleman remembers, he was asking about riots which occurred on 14th or 15th December. I said that the thing would pass, and, indeed, martial law was cancelled in a few hours.