§ 24. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Minister of Supply whether he will state the number of 'hydrogen bombs to be exploded in connection with the forthcoming nuclear tests to be held between March and October.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesI would refer the right hon. and learned Gentleman to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mr. P. Noel-Baker) on 13th March.
§ Mr. HendersonIn that reply the Minister sheltered behind the veil of national security. Is it not the fact that in June of last year the then Prime Minister stated that the Government had decided to carry out a number of nuclear test explosions, in the megaton range, during the first six months of 1957? If that policy is carried out, does not it mean that at least two—and in some quarters it has been suggested that as many as five—hydrogen bombs will be exploded before the end of June? Surely the Government are not attempting to carry out that number of explosions in that period, and is it consistent with the proposals put forward to the Disarmament Sub-Committee for the limitation of test explosions?
§ Mr. JonesThe number of intended explosions will certainly be limited, but I am afraid that I cannot speak more specifically than that, and certainly cannot anticipate the outcome of any disarmament talks.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerSince all the Governments with nuclear weapons will immediately detect our explosions when they take place, on what grounds does the Minister refuse to give this information to the House?
§ Mr. JonesTo answer this question would be to give a potential enemy knowledge of techniques which it would not be in the national interest so to reveal.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIs not the purpose to disguise the number from the House?
§ Mr. JonesNo, Sir. A full knowledge of the techniques involved and the detection of the number of explosions are two quite different things.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsWill the Minister say whether there will be more than one test?
§ Mr. Henderson rose——
§ Mr. SpeakerThe Minister said that he cannot say any more.