§ 1. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Minister of Defence, what study he has now made of the recent nuclear explosions over the Pacific; and what lessons have been learnt in regard to methods of defence for the population of Great Britain against attacks by similar nuclear weapons.
§ The Minister of Defence (Mr. Duncan Sandys)The technical analysis of the tests has not yet been completed. Since their main purpose was to establish the effectiveness of the principles of weapon design, and since the explosions took place at a very high altitude, they will not contribute much to our knowledge of methods of active or civil defence.
§ Mr. HughesDo I understand the Minister to say that we have not learned anything about how to defend this country as a result of these tests? Can he tell us the difference between a "clean" bomb and a "dirty" bomb, and to what extent can he defend us against either?
§ Mr. SandysThe hon. Gentleman asks an awful lot of things in a supplementary question. I thought I had made it clear that these tests were not civil defence tests or anti-aircraft tests; they were tests to determine whether the calculations that had been made by our scientists about nuclear explosions were correct.
§ Mr. StokesMay I ask the Minister whether he can at least tell us, and so relieve a great deal of public anxiety, if there was or was not any harmful fallout'? That is what everybody wants to hear about.
§ Mr. SandysIt is obviously a matter of degree, and I do not think that I can answer a question of that kind without considering exactly what I say.
§ Mr. StokesIf I put down a Question will the Minister answer it?
§ Mr. SandysI will do my best.