§ 59. Mr. C. Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he possesses of the manufacture of nuclear weapons by countries who are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation other than Great Britain and the United States of America.
§ Commander NobleNone, Sir. However, the French Government consider that France remains free to manufacture nuclear weapons until their manufacture has been stopped in other countries already possessing them.
§ Mr. HughesIs it the case that France will be in a position to make nuclear tests some time this year? Does not this make it increasingly vital that some international agreement should be reached at once to ban all these tests?
§ Commander NobleI do not think any international agreement to ban tests in isolation would stop what is called the "fourth country" making its own nuclear weapons.
§ Mr. BevanIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman of the opinion that France proposes to make a test this year, and if so, has he any idea when?
§ Commander NobleNo, I have no idea whatsoever, and I did not say so.
§ Mr. BevanI did not say that the right hon. and gallant Gentleman said so. Will he find cut, and if the tests are likely to be made before the Summit Conference is held, would it not be desirable to make representations to France that she should not hold them until after the Conference?