§ 49. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the claim of the United States of America to the ownership of Christmas Island; and what steps he intends to take to clarify this issue before the explosion of the British hydrogen bomb.
§ The Prime MinisterThe United States Government claim sovereignty over Christmas Island, which has been under British administration for many years as part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony. Her Majesty's Government have informed the United States Government that the action which they are now taking does not in any way prejudice the claims of either Government.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs it not rather reprehensible that we should be exploding this weapon over territory the ownership of 1747 which is in some dispute? If it subsequently turns out that this is American property, will Her Majesty's Government consider giving appropriate compensation to the United States Government?
§ The Prime MinisterIn the first place, I do not think that this difficulty is likely to be serious. In the second place, the bomb is not being exploded over that territory.