§ 45. Mr. Healeyasked the Prime Minister whether on his forthcoming visit to Rambouillet he will ask the President of the French Republic to associate France with the moratorium on atomic test explosions now observed by Great Britain. the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
§ 50. Mr. Brockwayasked the Prime Minister if he will discuss with the President of France at their forthcoming meeting the discontinuation of atomic bomb tests in the Sahara in view of the apprehension expressed in British Colonial territories likely to be affected by radio-active fall-out.
§ 54. Mr. Prenticeasked the Prime Minister whether he will propose to the President of the French Republic that he should associate France with the moratorium on the testing of nuclear weapons now observed by Great Britain, the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
§ The Prime MinisterMy conversations with President de Gaulle will be confidential and I cannot say what subjects will be discussed.
§ Mr. HealeyCan the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that in talking to President de Gaulle he will convey the very deep dismay felt, I think, in all quarters in this country at the recent explosion in the Sahara? Furthermore, will he present to the French President the very strong feelings which are held on this issue by many of our fellow members of the Commonwealth?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is possible that this matter may be part of our conversations, in which case I shall express the view of Her Majesty's Government, but I think that these forms of conversations, the only point of which is that they should be confidential and should try to cover a large number of subjects in the right spirit, would be spoilt if both before and after them I had to answer detailed questions in the House of Commons.
§ Mr. BrockwayIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is evidence that the French Government are now reconsidering the continuation of these tests in the Sahara? In view of the depth of feeling of people throughout Africa against their territory being raped in this way, will he at least consider putting forward the view of our Commonwealth and Colonial Territories?
§ The Prime MinisterWe would, of course, express the anxieties both of the Nigerian Government and of the Sierra Leone Government. We supported the resolution at the United Nations asking that we should all agree to discontinue these tests. It has been a long negotiation, but I still hope that the more practical method is to see whether the three countries now mainly concerned can bring the Geneva negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion.
§ Mr. PrenticeDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that any success which might be obtained in the Geneva talks could be undermined if French tests continue and then if other countries follow their example? On the other hand, if the French tests are stopped, there is at least a chance that no further tests will be carried out anywhere. Is not this a critical situation calling for a new diplomatic initiative on the part of the Prime Minister?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, but I have a certain sympathy with the view that if the three countries which have done this on the largest scale could first agree among themselves they would be in a rather better moral position to lecture everybody else.
§ Mr. GaitskellIt is enormously important that the French Government should follow suit if an agreement is reached. Would it not be a wise precaution to raise this issue with General de Gaulle and to keep him in touch with the negotiations taking place, and to express the hope that France will join them in due course?
§ The Prime MinisterI am grateful for the suggestion as to how to carry on these negotiations.