HC Deb 28 May 1957 vol 571 cc213-5
49. Mr. Proctor

asked the Prime Minister what knowledge he expects to gain from further hydrogen bomb tests on Christmas Island that is not already possessed by the Government of the United States of America; if, in the proposals he is considering making to the United States of America for the pooling of information about nuclear weapons, he will consider the feasibility of their nuclear scientists co-operating with ours in an examination of the details of our tests and a subsequent report to the British Government upon the advisability of any further tests being made; and if he will request the United States Government to seek the authority of Congress to examine afresh, with the British Government, the question of nuclear defence.

The Prime Minister

As the hon. Member is aware, the United States Government are not able under United States law to exchange details of their tests which concern the design and fabrication of nuclear weapons; I therefore do not know what knowledge they possess in this sphere and how it relates to our own. We do, however, exchange information on the effects of nuclear weapons; this exchange while valuable to both parties does not, of course, help us in the design of our own weapons. I have said that the possibility of putting proposals to the United States Government will be carefully considered.

Mr. Proctor

Does the Prime Minister fully realise the enormous risk that we are taking in the defence of the free world in the question of nuclear weapons? Is it not time that we told the United States that they must cooperate with us on a fair basis if we are to continue to take these tremendous risks? Does not the Prime Minister realise that, as well as the problem of poisoning the world by the tests, there is the really great problem of dismantling the enormous amount of nuclear power that is now built up and which, we are advised, could destroy all Europe in three hours? Does he not consider that the best way to do that is to press as quickly as possible for a conference in which the veto of Congress in this matter can be considered?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Member will recognise that the number of supplementary points that he has raised makes his Question more suitable for debate than for question and answer, but I will do my best to summarise in this way. I regard the nuclear power of the free world thus: it has at least preserved peace in the period since the war, and is our greatest protection; that it should not be abandoned without corresponding reductions in conventional armaments. I welcome any initiative, in which we will play our part, and in which the United States Government are playing their part, which may lead to a proper solution of this problem.