HC Deb 25 March 1957 vol 567 cc774-5
3. Mr. Lipton

asked the Minister of Supply why no Press representatives will be allowed to attend the British hydrogen bomb tests in the Pacific.

Mr. Aubrey Jones

Subject to our being able to provide at least a minimum of the accommodation and facilities necessary, it is our intention to make arrangements for some Press representation.

Mr. Lipton

While the Bermuda decision to continue H-bomb tests has disappointed millions of people all over the world, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it would have been quite silly to maintain a ban on British Press representatives after deciding to invite Russian observers? While I am on the subject, has the right hon. Gentleman seen Press reports to the effect that Sir William Penney is being forced to carry on with these experiments under political pressure?

Mr. Jones

All I can say is that my Answer was framed long before I knew anything at all about the results of the Bermuda conference. I am certainly not aware that Sir William Penney is displaying any such attitude as that attributed to him by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Swingler

Does the invitation to Press representatives also include invitations to Service chiefs who may express a desire to attend?

Mr. Jones

I think I should require notice of that question.

6 and 10. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Supply (1) what was the nature of the scientific advice given to him concerning the danger, to which the Japanese Government drew attention, of the contamination of fish by British hydrogen bomb tests in the area of Christmas Island;

(2) if he will publish the data upon which his technical advisers base their conclusions on the effects of experimental explosions of the hydrogen bomb, particularly in regard to the effect upon fish in contaminated waters.

Mr. Aubrey Jones

In the circumstances envisaged for these tests, that is high air bursts not involving heavy fallout, there should be no contamination of fish.

This advice was reached after a careful study of the results of the latest scientific research, including that in Japan.

Mr. Swingler

Is it a fact that the previous hydrogen bomb explosions in the Pacific, contrary to the expectations of those who initiated them, did contaminate Japanese food supplies and pollute a considerable area of the sea? Has the evidence of that been studied and the considerable ill-effects it caused in Japan, and are the advisers of the right hon. Gentleman in possession of the latest Japanese research which has evidently led the Japanese Government to protest against these explosions?

Mr. Jones

The evidence has been studied and we are in possession of the results of the latest Japanese research. But I ask the hon. Gentleman to remember that the American test was conducted close to the Japanese fishing grounds and that this test is far removed from those grounds.