§ 47. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether he is now satisfied that an internationally agreed ban on the production of nuclear weapons can be effectively enforced.
§ The Prime MinisterHer Majesty's Government believe that it is practicable to enforce effectively an internationally agreed ban on future production of fissile materials for weapons purposes if an adequate inspection system has been installed.
§ Mr. HendersonDoes the Prime Minister's reply cover the diversion of fissionable material from existing stockpiles of nuclear weapons?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. That is why I was careful, although the right hon. Gentleman's Question referred to the production of nuclear weapons, to say in my reply that we believed it was practicable, if we could get a sufficient degree of inspection, to operate a ban on the production of fissile materials; but we must admit that it would not be possible to make a complete ban on the production of weapons, because that could be enforced only if the total past production of fissile material could be accounted for. In my view, that is not possible.