HC Deb 25 June 1958 vol 590 cc407-8
19. Mr. P. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to prepare a draft scheme for the system of international inspection required to ensure that an agreement to suspend nuclear tests will be observed; and whether they will lay this scheme, as a basis for discussion, before the Committee of Experts who are to consider the matter.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

We have been considering this matter for some time. Our experts will be ready to put forward and discuss constructive proposals at the Geneva meeting in conjunction with the other experts. The importance which we attach to this meeting is, I think, shown by the fact that Sir William Penney and Sir John Cockcroft have been nominated as the principal United Kingdom representatives.

Mr. Noel-Baker

While thanking the Foreign Secretary for that reply, may I ask whether I am right in understanding that our experts will put forward a concrete plan showing what measures of control we are ready to accept?

Mr. Lloyd

Certainly our representarives will put forward proposals, and the proposals will indicate the measure of control that we ourselves are prepared to accept.

25. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will specify the Governments which are to be represented at the forthcoming conference of experts to be held in Geneva on 1st July, their terms of reference, and the date by which they have to report.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

As a result of exchanges of letters between President Eisenhower and the Soviet Prime Minister, it has been agreed that, on our side, the team for the Geneva talks will include experts from the United Kingdom, the United States, France and Canada. On the other side, we have been informed that Soviet, Czechoslovak and Polish experts will take part. The purpose of the talks is to examine in a scientific and technical sense methods of detecting violations of any agreements that may be proposed by either side on the suspension of nuclear tests. Both sides agree that the experts will work as quickly as possible. I cannot yet say when they are likely to report.

Mr. Henderson

In view of the widespread resentment and mistrust which has been created by the recent executions of Mr. Nagy and his associates, may we take it that it remains the intention of the Government to make use of the opportunity that this conference affords in order to achieve results in the methods of supervising and controlling any agreement which may be reached on the suspension of nuclear tests?

Mr. Lloyd

Yes, Sir.