HC Deb 13 April 1960 vol 621 cc1250-2
21. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government that a limited number of nuclear tests are essential to the projected research into the detection of small underground tests; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Profumo

As the right hon. and learned Gentleman may remember, the idea of a joint series of experiments underground, on which an effective control system might be based, was put forward by my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary in his speech in the House on 29th October last.

I think it is important that a programme of co-ordinated research into the detection of underground nuclear explosions, as now proposed, should produce results which will be beyond dispute. It seems to us that this cannot be done without some experimental underground nuclear explosions.

Mr. Henderson

Does the Minister's reply mean that during the period of the moratorium no underground tests will take place except for the express purpose of reseach work, and that they will be held under the joint responsibility of the three Governments?

Mr. Profumo

Yes, that is so.

25. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement about the latest developments in the nuclear tests conference.

Mr. Profumo

At the meetings of the Conference during the past ten days, questions have been put by the Soviet delegation about the joint statement of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and President Eisenhower of 30th March, and explanations have been given by the Western delegations.

A number of subsidiary matters relating to the structure and functioning of the control organisations have also been discussed.

The United States and United Kingdom delegations have proposed that there should be discussions in Geneva early in May on the technical aspects of the co-ordinated research programme proposed by President Eisenhower and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

Mr. Allaun

Is the Minister aware that on 7th April—after the Prime Minister's visit to Washington—it was reported from Geneva that Britain and America were insisting that some nuclear test explosions were still necessary? Why is this? Is the Minister aware that there would be widespread dismay if the test talks failed either on this account or over differences with regard to the number of inspections to be held annually?

Mr. Profumo

The number of inspections to be held annually is something which is to be discussed in detail later, but I can assure the hon. Member that the talks will not fail for the reasons he has suggested.

Mr. Gaitskell

Is it not a fact that the Russians have accepted the proposal for joint research into the problem of small explosions, which necessarily involves explosions taking place in the process of that research?

Mr. Profumo

Yes. I do not know whether the right hon. Gentleman was here, but I answered that question earlier this afternoon.