HC Deb 30 April 1957 vol 569 c26
47. Mrs. Castle

asked the Prime Minister to what extent the explosion of a fusion bomb in the megaton range is undetectable.

The Prime Minister

I cannot add to the information I have already given on this subject.

Mrs. Castle

But is the Prime Minister aware that he told the House on 1st April that he was scientifically advised that if anyone wanted to run a test explosion that was undetectable, it was perfectly possible to do so? Can he now tell the House whether that statement applies to bombs in the megaton range?

The Prime Minister

The statement which I made was perfectly correct, and I have nothing to add to it.

Mr. Strachey

Would not the Prime Minister agree that if an explosion is large enough to do appreciable harm it is large enough to detect?

The Prime Minister

If the right hon. Gentleman will read carefully what I said, he will find that my statement said it was possible to make these explosions in a manner which could not be detected. I do not wish to add to that.