§ 46. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister the purpose of the tests of nuclear weapons in the Pacific; and the estimated cost.
§ 49. Mr. Liptonasked the Prime Minister when the next series of British nuclear bomb tests is likely to be completed; and what further tests will take place thereafter.
§ The Prime MinisterThe purpose of nuclear weapon tests is to make progress in the development of these weapons. It would not be in the public interest to give further details. As I have said, the current series of tests is not complete. The next test will be in the near future.
§ Mr. HughesCan the Prime Minister tell us why it is not in the public interest that we should know the cost of these tests?
§ The Prime MinisterSuch information as it is thought right to give is all in the Estimates, but I do not think it is necessary or right for me to try to dig out the precise costs, which are extremely difficult actually to allocate between the different costs of different work by the people employed.
§ Mr. LiptonIf the Prime Minister will not agree to the Opposition's suggestion that the tests should be suspended immediately, would not it help if he were at least able to say that the next series of British tests would be the last? Need we go on testing these things indefinitely merely to impress the two senior members of the nuclear club that we can "go it alone"?
§ The Prime MinisterI prefer not to make any further statement.