HC Deb 04 February 1958 vol 581 cc975-6
48. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Prime Minister his intentions regarding further British hydrogen-bomb test explosions this spring.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have been asked to reply.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler) on Tuesday, 21st January.

Mr. Allaun

As that answer told us nothing, and since the 157 sessions of the London disarmament talks failed to reach agreement on a single point, does not the right hon. Gentleman feel that it would be a magnificent augury for the proposed summit talks if Britain announced unilaterally the suspension of further tests? Would not this break the vicious circle and show our country's true greatness?

Mr. Butler

It was no fault of ours that our disarmament proposals were not accepted. I would not be prepared, prior to general acceptance, to give the unilateral acceptance for which the hon. Gentleman asks.