HC Deb 18 November 1959 vol 613 cc1165-6
32. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the recent official communication received from the United States Secretary of State referring to a possible unilateral resumption of nuclear tests by the United States of America, failing agreement on this subject within a few weeks at Geneva, he will propose a gentleman's agreement between the three Powers, whereby each undertakes not to resume tests unless one of the others does so first.

45. Mr. V. Yates

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet considered the recent official communication received from the United States Secretary of State regarding a possible resumption of nuclear tests; and what current proposals Her Majesty's Government have for reaching agreement in this matter.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I assume that the hon. Members are referring to an answer which Mr. Herter gave to a question at his Press conference on 12th November. He said: That is a very intricate subject. I would personally favour the extension if it were a matter of weeks only while we were still talking. With respect to a longer moratorium than that, I would have serious doubts. However, none of us know how these talks are going to turn out. Sometimes there are favourable developments, sometimes unfavourable, and until we know how the talks are likely to turn out I think it is foolish to speculate in advance about any extended moratorium. So far as Her Majesty's Government's own position is concerned, that was stated by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 30th July.

Mr. Allaun

But would not such a gentleman's agreement prevent the real danger of America resuming her tests, no doubt with Britain, Russia, and other Powers following suit?

Mr. Lloyd

These negotiations, which have been going on for a long time, not with a complete lack of success, are at the moment in a critical, and, I think, decisive phase. I think the best thing is to let negotiations at Geneva continue and try to get agreement. As the hon. Gentleman knows, we will do everything we can to try to get agreement with the other two countries on these matters.