§ 47. Mr. Zilliacusasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the World Health Organisation's Report, published on 12th March, on the danger of genetic damage from radiation, he will reconsider the decision to test a hydrogen bomb at Christmas Island and, instead, open negotiations with the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for an agreement to end thermo-nuclear tests, as proposed by the Soviet Government last year.
§ The Prime MinisterThe final text of this Report, which was of a conference held in August, 1956, has not yet been received; but I am advised by the Medical Research Council that it did not add to the information contained in the Medical Research Council's Report published in June of that year. On the latter part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to what I told the House on 5th and 12th March.
§ Mr. ZilliacusIs not the Prime Minister aware that there is growing disquiet in this country and other countries at the accumulating evidence that there is serious danger already, and is he not anxious to use the unique opportunity, first of all of the Disarmament Commission and the renewal of the Soviet proposals and, secondly, of his impending visit to Bermuda, to try to reach agreement to banish hydrogen bomb tests; and will he not avoid this Government going down to history as prolicidal maniacs?
§ The Prime MinisterIn view of the last part of the supplementary question, I think that I should be quite entitled not to answer the others, but I am quite prepared to do so. With regard to the first part of the supplementary question, that, of course, is being dealt with in the work of the Disarmament Committee which has just opened in London. In regard to the second part. this and, no 213 doubt, many other matters will come up for discussion between me and the President in the course of the next few days. I must repeat that, in my view, the problem of control or ultimate abolition of tests is one problem. What I have been pressed to do over and over again I am afraid I cannot consent to do. To abandon our tests now would be to put ourselves in a position of inferiority even for the purpose of negotiations.
§ Mr. BevanAs discussions are now about to start in the Disarmament Sub-Committee of the United Nations, if other nations come forward with propositions to undertake no further tests, will the British Government agree?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is a hypothetical question depending on how these discussions develop in the Disarmament Commission. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, there are a great many questions with regard to tests and the use of weapons which must involve the full problem of control and management if they are to be effective.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeWould my right hon. Friend be prepared to acknowledge that there are some people only too anxious to exaggerate the genetic and medical effects of these test explosions for political purposes?
§ Mr. BevanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is a highly offensive remark and that alarm about the effects of radiation is being felt by people in all parts of the world and of all shades of political opinion? Is it not a most childish frivolity to ignore them at this stage? If the right hon. Gentleman will himself not accept the proposition that we should desist from these tests if other nations offer to do so, will we take the initiative ourselves in asking for these tests to stop, thereby giving an example to the rest of the world, or are we to wait until every other nation wants to make a test itself?
§ The Prime MinisterThere are many problems involved in that question, but I want to make clear, and I think that it is the general view of the House, that Her Majesty's Government are not prepared to abandon tests except under proper safeguards and effective international control as part of a comprehensive disarmament agreement.