§ 6. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Defence how many Service chiefs will attend the Christmas Island tests of nuclear bombs.
§ Mr. SandysNone of the Chiefs of Staff will be attending the tests.
§ Mr. LiptonAfter spending all this money, is it not rather ridiculous, if these tests are necessary, which many people doubt, that the Chiefs of Staff should not be present? After all, is it not likely that they may be called upon to decide where to drop the H-bomb in real earnest? Or is it that their presence will lower the tone of the proceedings on Christmas Island?
§ Mr. SandysI really think that they have more pressing duties elsewhere. [Laughter.] It is all very well for the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) to laugh, but the Chiefs of Staff would learn absolutely nothing by seeing a big bang. What they want to know is the results. The results will be assessed by scientists with scientific instruments, and that information will be available to the Chiefs of Staff and to the Government here.
§ Mr. LiptonMumbo-jumbo.