HC Deb 03 April 1957 vol 568 cc397-9
50. Mr. Hunter

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will, in the near future, initiate discussions at the United Nations for the purpose of limiting hydrogen bomb tests and eventually abolishing these tests.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I have nothing to add to what was said by the Prime Minister and by my right hon. and learned Friend in this House on 1st April, and to the reply given by my right hon. and gallant Friend to the hon. Member for Bristol. Central (Mr. Awbery) on 26th March.

Mr. Hunter

In spite of that reply, I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman if lie will ask his right hon. and learned Friend, in the interests of humanity throughout the world, and despite what the Prime Minister said. to initiate discussions at the United Nations to secure agreement on the limitation and eventual abolition of hydrogen bomb tests.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I recognise the hon. Gentleman's great concern in this matter, but there really is not any need for any initiative on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, in that the Disarmament Sub-Committee is meeting at this moment, and discussion on this particular subject forms a very important part of its work.

Captain Duncan

Can my right hon. Friend now state what is the policy of the Labour Party on this matter?

Mr. Younger

In view of the Minister of State's suggestion that there is no need for an initiative, can he tell us quite positively that proposals have in fact been put forward by the Government within this Sub-Committee and that they are at present being considered, or is he merely giving careful consideration to other people's suggestions?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The Question asks whether the Government will initiate discussions in the United Nations. I said that there is no need to initiate these discussions because discussions in the United Nations Disarmament Sub-Committee are at this moment taking place.

53. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the proposals of Her Majesty's Government in the United Nations Disarmament Sub-Committee for the limitation and control of nuclear tests.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

As the Prime Minister told the House yesterday, meetings of the Disarmament Sub-Committee are private and I cannot say what proposals have been or may be put forward by Her Majesty's Government. Hon. Members will, however, be aware that among proposals likely to be considered are the comprehensive Anglo-French plan of 1956 and the new United States disarmament proposals, both of which include provision for the limitation of tests. There is also the resolution by Canada. Norway and Japan on registration of tests. The statements in the Bermuda communiqué on registration and limited observation of tests indicate that we are likely to contribute ideas in support of this resolution. We are awaiting Soviet reactions to various questions put to them.

Mr. Henderson

Is not it a fact that during the debate on Monday the Foreign Secretary gave certain information to the House, admittedly on the basis of questions, which suggested that these were the substance of proposals that the Government have put to the Disarmament Sub-Committee? Why cannot we have that information put in a positive form, even though it only confirms the Foreign Secretary's statement?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The right hon. and learned Gentleman must recognise that if we are to have confidential discussions —and there are certain advantages in having these discussions in private—it really would not be suitable to give exact details of all the statements that were being made in that Sub-Committee.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

Were we right in understanding the Prime Minister to mean on Monday that while we might consider the registration of tests in advance and restricted international observation of tests, we were not proposing to accept any limitation on the number or power of the tests?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I do not think that is exactly what the Prime Minister said. It is broadly what he said, but I repeat that it really is impossible to give exact details in this House of the statements we are putting to the Soviet representatives in the Sub-committee which is meeting at this very moment.