§ 42. Mr. Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will instruct our representative at the United Nations Disarmament Commission lo press all nations to agree to the limitation of atom and hydrogen bomb tests pending the discussions of the disarmament proposals now before the United Nations Disarmament Commission.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Douglas Dodds-Parker)The Disarmament Commission has just adjourned, having given instructions to its Sub-Committee that it should continue its search for agreement and that all the various proposals made in the Commission are to be studied in the Sub-Committee. Included among them are proposals for the limitation of nuclear test explosions.
§ Mr. HunterIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there will be great disappointment in this country, and throughout the world, if the Soviet Government's offer to negotiate about the stopping of hydrogen bomb tests is not accepted? Public opinion is against the testing of these terrible weapons of destruction.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerI am certain that public opinion in this country, in so far as I can speak for it, would be against a unilateral acceptance of such an offer without proper control over the other factors involved.
§ Dr. SummerskillAs a warning has been given by the Medical Research Council that if the rate of tests increases there will be a positive danger to people now living, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the rate of testing is increasing, particularly in the United States?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerNo, Sir, not without notice. The matter was dealt with fully by the Minister of Health in a debate last week.
§ 43. Mr. Hunterasked the Secretary of state for Foreign Affairs, in view of the official announcement that the Soviet Government are ready to start talks immediately on the banning of atom and hydrogen bomb tests, if he will take steps to convene a conference of the Powers concerned.
§ 44. Mr. Reevesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government has considered the official Soviet proposal to ban all further nuclear tests; and whether a favourable response will be made, so that the first step in international disarmament can be made.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerI have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the right hon. and learned Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. A. Henderson) on 19th July.
§ Mr. HunterIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Soviet Foreign Secretary's offer is in respect of international agreement between the three major Powers, there being three Powers making nuclear weapons? Surely, he can take a lead in calling a conference of the three Powers?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerThe Prime Minister dealt with the matter on 19th July. If the hon. Member will look at that reply and listen to the debate today and tomorrow, he may learn something.