HYDROGEN BOMB TESTS

HC Deb 27 March 1957 vol 567 cc1144-7

45. Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give the names of the independent scientific organisations on whose reports Her Majesty's Government have relied for their view that there is no danger of genetic damage from continuing hydrogen-bomb tests; and whether he will publish such of their reports which have been made to Her Majesty's Government.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Peter Thorneycroft)

I have been asked to reply.

The findings of the Committee appointed by the Medical Research Council were contained in Command Paper No. 9780. This stated that "the genetic effects to be expected from present or future radioactive fall-out from bombs fired at the present rate and in the present proportion of the different kinds are insignificant."

Mr. Zilliacus

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Medical Research Council's evidence suggests that there is at least a grave doubt; that the World Health Organisation's findings confirm that view, and that the American National Academy of Science has gone even further in this direction? Where there is a doubt, will he not give the benefit of the doubt to humanity, instead of to the hydrogen bomb?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The hon. Gentleman asked which is the organisation, and I have given him the name.

47. Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Prime Minister to what extent it is the Government's policy to continue hydrogen bomb tests until such time as agreement has been reached on a general convention for the reduction, limitation and control of armaments and abolition of weapons of mass destruction.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

I have been asked to reply.

As is stated in the Bermuda communiqué, in the absence of an effective and comprehensive disarmament agreement, the security of the free world must continue to depend to a marked degree upon the nuclear deterrent. To maintain this effectively, continued nuclear testing is required, certainly for the present. Her Majesty's Government have, with the United States Government, declared their intention to conduct nuclear tests only in such manner as will keep world radiation from rising to more than a small fraction of the levels that might be hazardous.

Mr. Zilliacus

Does not this reply go back on the undertaking of the former Prime Minister to deal with the hydrogen bomb tests as a separate issue? Is not the Government's argument that this would weaken national defence met by the point that if the Soviet Union also stopped testing hydrogen bombs their defences would be equally weakened? Are not the Government going back on the whole principle that disarmament by agreement means that the two sides agree, mutually and equally, to weaken their defensive powers?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I do not think so. I think that it was always contemplated that discussions should take place, and it is only natural that those discussions should start with our allies in the United States. I do not think that the hon. Gentleman would expect me to add to the communiqué that has been issued.

Mr. Gaitskell

In congratulating the right hon. Gentleman on his swift promotion, may I ask him why the Government have changed their mind from that indicated in the statement made by Sir Anthony Eden on 20th December—very recently—that they were prepared to make an agreement on H-bomb tests independently of any general disarmament agreement?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I think that Sir Anthony Eden's statement envisaged that discussions should take place, and it is perfectly clear that if discussions are to take place they should start with the United States. That is what has, in fact, been going on. The communiqué setting out the results has been published, and I do not think that I can add to it today.

Mr. Gaitskell

Will the right hon. Gentleman refresh his memory on this point, because the Prime Minister announced on 20th December that proposals on this matter would be put forward very shortly? Would the Chancellor of the Exchequer give some indication as to why there has been this change in the Government's attitude? It is a matter of great importance. Does he not realise that, by linking the whole question of the hydrogen bomb tests to general disarmament, the impression is created very widely that there will be an indefinite period before Her Majesty's Government attempt to achieve any kind of general agreement on H-bomb tests?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I do not think that I can add to the communiqué which has just been issued.

Mr. Wade

Even accepting the view that expert opinion differs on this subject, would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that we are rapidly approaching the position where incalculable harm may be done? That being so, would it not be wise for the British Government to take the initiative in this matter, and would not the psychological effect of a bold announcement that we would make no further tests far outweigh any advantages which might be gained from these experiments?

Mr. Thorneycroft

This Question is limited to the policy to be pursued pending any further general settlement, and the Answer I have given sets out the agreement as announced from Bermuda.

Mr. Gaitskell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on 20th December the then Prime Minister said: We have been at work on drafting these proposals "— the proposals relating to the hydrogen bomb— and it is my hope that within a very few weeks we shall have our proposals ready in that respect."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 20th December, 1956; Vol. 562, c. 1456.] Have the Government abandoned those proposals? If not, when can we expect them to be produced?

Mr. Thorneycroft

It seems to me that that is a somewhat different question—[Interruption.] The question here is simply what policy is to be pursued. That policy has just been stated in a communiqué issued from Bermuda, and I do not think that it would be for me to add to it.