§ 49. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what communications have been received from Colonial Territories and representatives urging that representations should be made to the French Government regarding the intention to test a nuclear bomb in the Sahara.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Governor-General of Nigeria informed me of a debate in the House of Representatives on 24th February and asked if this information could be conveyed to the French Government. I have had no other communications of this sort.
§ Mr. BrockwayIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the British Colonial Territories, particularly in West Africa, there is deep concern about these nuclear tests in the Sahara and their effects upon the population? In view of this, will he approach the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and ask him to raise this matter with the French Government?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThis information has naturally been conveyed. I hope the hon. Gentleman will do nothing that would ensure that some of the misleading influences that are drawn in Europe are now extended to Africa in consequence of tests of this kind. I would 1521 draw the hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that the executive council of the French community has approved of the French Government's intentions.