HC Deb 12 July 1956 vol 556 cc586-8
45. Mr. Swingler

asked the Prime Minister if he will now propose to all heads of States the temporary cessation of nuclear test explosions, pending the outcome of the discussions of the Disarmament Commission on the Anglo-French proposals for the limitation and eventual abolition of such tests.

The Prime Minister (Sir Anthony Eden)

As I said on 7th June, Her Majesty's Government are prepared to discuss methods of regulating and limiting test explosions which take account of their own position as well as that of other Powers. It would no doubt be preferable that this matter should be pursued within the context of a comprehensive agreement on disarmament. For our part, however, we should not exclude other methods of discussion acceptable to those concerned.

Mr. Swingler

While welcoming the discussion on this matter initiated by Her Majesty's Government in the Disarmament Commission, may I ask whether the Prime Minister will not give a lead on this question as a separate and urgent issue susceptible of immediate international agreement and control? Would he not be willing to take some steps to prevent this question becoming tied up with much more complex problems, which it will take a long time to solve, so there may be some possibility of immediate agreement on this as a separate question?

The Prime Minister

I am aware of that aspect of the problem. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman did not hear the last part of my Answer for our part we should not exclude other methods of discussion that is to say, methods apart from the larger disarmament convention—if acceptable to others concerned. In other words, we are ready to discuss the matter, we prefer to do it through the Disarmament Commission, but, if that is not possible, we for our part are willing to do it outside, if others are willing to do so.

Mr. Bellenger

Will the Prime Minister at least assure the House that when he visits Russia next year—[HON. MEMBERS: "Too late."]—he may take up this matter on the highest possible level, which may produce some results?

Mr. Younger

Can we take the Prime Minister's statement as implying that he will take some initiative in this matter to try to get agreement of this kind irrespective of more general agreement on international control? If so, does that mean that the words spoken by the Minister of State in the Disarmament Commission do not bear the meaning so widely attributed to them, particularly by the editor of The Times this morning?

The Prime Minister

I think that the right hon. Gentleman probably knows the position. It is that these matters are dealt with as part of the Anglo-French plan with a wider scope altogether. We should naturally prefer that the Anglo-French plan, if possible, should be accepted. If, however, progress is not made with that and, if as the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler) suggested, the matter becomes tangled in other ways, we should be ready to consider other methods of dealing with the matter.

Mr. Beswick

Although the Prime Minister says that the Government are prepared to discuss other methods, the methods which he has indicated are also tangled and confused. Would he now state quite simply whether Her Majesty's Government would be prepared to call a halt now to these tests, if other countries would do the same?

The Prime Minister

The question with which I am dealing is that of the limitation of these tests. Personally, I think that the House would be wise to start with limitation and see if we can get agreement on that. I have explained that it is in our scheme with the French. If it is not accepted in that form and can be discussed more easily in some other form, we are ready to do so.

Mr. Gaitskell

Are we to understand from that that the Prime Minister means that the Government will be prepared to put forward as a separate proposal the proposal to limit and control the tests, quite apart from any other disarmament proposal?

The Prime Minister

I was explaining some time ago that it is already in our Anglo-French proposals. We should prefer to deal with it in that way. If, however, we cannot make progress in that way, I do not exclude dealing with it in some other way by itself.

Mr. A. Henderson

Can the Prime Minister clear up what he has just said? Is it a fact that the proposals which the Minister of State has put forward at the present disarmament discussions have become tangled, or is it still possible that they may be accepted by the other Governments represented at the conference?

The Prime Minister

They are part of the Anglo-French plan, which covers the whole scheme of disarmament. Quite rightly the Minister of State put these proposals forward as part of that plan. I have tried to explain to the House that if that and other plans get held up we are prepared to consider other methods for settling this particular problem.