HC Deb 19 December 1960 vol 632 cc878-80
33. Mr. Healey

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the suspension of negotiations for a ban on atomic tests.

37. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Lord Privy Seal what proposals he has to break the deadlock in the nuclear test ban discussions.

39. Mr. Hannan

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the session just concluded of the Geneva Conference on the discontinuation of nuclear weapon tests.

43. Mr. Mason

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will now make a statement on the progress being made in the Geneva talks to obtain a permanent cessation-of-tests agreement.

Mr. Heath

The Nuclear Tests Conference went into recess on 5th December and will resume its work on 7th February. As regards the position reached at it, I would refer to the reply I gave to the right hon. and learned Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. A. Henderson) on 14th December.

Mr. Healey

As there is growing urgency for an agreement on a test ban, in the light of the multiplying reports that various other countries are on the verge of being able to conduct atomic tests, will the right hon. Gentleman seek the first opportunity of discussing with the new American Administration whether the Western Powers cannot make a new approach to the Soviet Union when the Conference resumes?

Mr. Heath

I can certainly give that assurance.

Mr. Hannan

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the remaining difficulties are relatively smaller? Will he take the initiative during this intermission to approach the other Powers to see whether, by diplomatic negotiations, we could come to agreement before the reconvening of the Conference?

Mr. Heath

We hope to be able to deal with the remaining problems. As to the last part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, I think that the Soviet Government itself feels that it would be better to wait until the new American Administration has come into office before trying to make further progress.

Mr. Mason

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that recent reports have shown that deaths from leukæmia in every age group have increased and the intake of strontium 90 into children's bones has trebled over the past two years? Are not these deaths and increase in disease a direct result of nuclear tests by ourselves and other atomic Powers? Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether any pressure is being brought to bear by the atomic Powers on new Powers, such as France, with a view to restraining them from the next series of atomic tests?

Mr. Heath

I think our views are best shown by our own suspension of tests.

Mr. Fletcher

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this problem has assumed new and serious urgency in view of today's report that the French are proposing to supply the Government of Israel with atomic weapons? If these atomic weapons spread throughout the Middle East the position will become increasingly grave. In view of that, is it not of the greatest urgency that negotiations should be resumed?

Mr. Heath

No one doubts the urgency of the matter, although I cannot comment on the matter raised by the hon. Member. All three Powers are agreed that the best hope of making further progress will be after the new American Administration comes into office, and that is why the adjournment finishes on 7th February.