§ 28. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply has yet been received from the Soviet Government to the inquiries recently addressed to them on the limitation and control of nuclear tests; and whether he will make a statement on the progress of the talks which are being held to secure a special agreement on nuclear tests.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydI regret to say that, as the right hon. and learned Member may have seen from the Press, the response of the Soviet representative in the disarmament discussions to the inquiries and proposals of Her Majesty's Government on nuclear tests has not been encouraging. I hope, however, that this is not their final reply.
§ Mr. HendersonCould the Foreign Secretary indicate whether it is intended that this committee of scientists should also investigate the question of the detect-ability of tests?
§ Mr. LloydThe right hon. and learned Gentleman is, I think, referring to the second part of our proposals. I certainly think that one of the essential things which that body should examine is how any limitation could be enforced, and the detectability of tests must come into that matter.