HC Deb 03 April 1957 vol 568 cc401-2
54. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the Government have abandoned their decision to work for the limitation of hydrogen-bomb tests outside the context of a disarmament convention.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The policy of Her Majesty's Government on limitation of tests was explained by the Prime Minister and my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary in the House on 1st April and by the Prime Minister again on 2nd April.

Mrs. Castle

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these statements are really not the last word on the subject? Is not the crux of this matter whether the Government are prepared to go ahead with proposals for the abolition or limitation of hydrogen bomb tests quite separately from any other section of a disarmament agreement? Is not it clear from the earlier Answers that no such initiative is being taken by the Government and that the purpose of keeping these discussions confidential in the Disarmament Sub-Committee seems to be to obscure the fact that the Government are not keeping their promise?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I do not accept any of the statements of the hon. Lady. This is not the last word. We do not think it is the last word on the subject, but I wish we could get it understood in this House that there is quite a separate case for limitation and for abolition of tests. They are two quite different subjects.