HC Deb 27 March 1961 vol 637 cc931-2
7. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on the progress achieved at the resumed Geneva Conference on Nuclear Tests.

14. Mr. Healey

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the resumed negotiations for a ban on nuclear test explosions.

Mr. Godber

The Conference reopened on 21st March. The United States delegate, with the support of my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, put forward new Western proposals which incorporated a number of concessions to the Soviet Union. We hope that, when the Soviet Government have considered these, they will join with us in working for the early signature of a Treaty.

Mr. Henderson

Has the Minister seen the report in Saturday's issue of the Guardian of an interview with Tsarapkin, the leading Soviet delegate to the Conference, to the effect that the Soviet Government are unlikely to assent to any test ban agreement prior to the resumption of general disarmament negotiations in August? Would not it save a great deal of inconvenience to everybody if the Soviet Government were more explicit about what their policy now is?

Mr. Godber

I have seen the report to which the right hon. and learned Gentleman refers. The Soviet representatives have not said anything of that nature in the Conference. We have taken note of these Press comments, but one must not place too much reliance on them. Our view is that it would be much better if we could secure a conclusion of this agreement. That would create a much better climate for the disarmament discussions which we all wish to succeed.

Mr. Healey

We welcome the concessions which the Western Governments have unilaterally made on this point and which we hope will soon be reciprocated by the Soviet Government. May I assure the hon. Gentleman that we on this side of the House share his view that nothing would conduce more to the success of the general disarmament negotiations than the prior signature of a Treaty on a test ban?

Mr. Godber

I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman's comments. The fact that such comments come from both sides of the House will assist.