HC Deb 17 April 1962 vol 658 cc231-4
Q1. Mr. Fernyhough

asked the Prime Minister why shipping and aircraft have been warned by Her Majesty's Government and the United States Atomic Energy Commission jointly to keep clear of an area 800 miles by 600 miles in the Pacific from Sunday, 15th April; and for how long they must keep clear.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. R. A. Butler)

I have been asked to reply.

The warning notices to mariners and airmen were issued as a normal precaution which has been observed for all previous test series. President Kennedy indicated on 2nd March that if the test series took place it would last about two or three months.

Mr. Fernyhough

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain, since if these tests take place there will be some danger to shipping and aircraft in that area, why the Prime Minister said in a reply on 5th April that there would be no need to transfer anybody residing on Christmas Island? Does it mean that they will already have been transferred before the tests take place? Furthermore, would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that in this respect all the nuclear and atomic Powers are beginning to create great precedents? How far is any nation or are any two nations entitled to treat the oceans of the world as though they were private lakes? May not other nations decide one day that they will make a test on the North Sea or the Channel? What would our reply be?

Mr. Butler

I cannot answer the last part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, but in relation to the first part, the Prime Minister did say on 5th April that he was satisfied that safety arrangements for the proposed nuclear tests are such that it will be unnecessary to transfer the residents of Christmas Island elsewhere."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 5th April, 1962: Vol. 657, c. 632.]

Mr. Mellish

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to convey to the Prime Minister that most of us—I hope most of us—in this House certainly desire that Geneva shall come and go before any decisions about testing are made, and that such orders are not conducive to the success of negotiations at Geneva? Will he impress on him that it is not just one part of the House which is interested in peace but that all of us are?

Mr. Butler

I think that it was clear to anybody who heard the Prime Minister's statement on 10th April that everybody in this House was desirous of seeing some agreement before it was necessary to proceed with the tests. Unfortunately, we have not reached such an agreement. All I can say at present is that the issue of warning notices does not in itself imply that a final decision to conduct tests has been taken.

Mr. H. Wilson

In view of the initiative taken by the eight countries at the conference yesterday, an important initiative, would the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that it will be the policy of the Government to see that every effort is made to secure an agreement, perhaps starting from the initiative, with such changes as may be necessary, before the final decision is taken about tests?

Mr. Butler

I think that this really comes up on a later Question, but I should like to reassure the right hon. Gentleman meanwhile that we attach the greatest important to reaching an agreement banning nuclear tests, and we shall certainly study these latest proposals carefully to see if they offer a basis for making proposals.

Q2. Mr. Driberg

asked the Prime Minister what progress is being made with the eviction of the inhabitants of Christmas Island, and the preparations for the proposed tests; and on what date, approximately, these tests are expected to begin.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have been asked to reply.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister informed the hon. Member in reply to a Question on 5th April, it will be unnecessary to transfer the residents of Christmas Island elsewhere. Preparations for the tests are proceeding on the lines indicated in the communique issued after my right hon. Friend's meeting with President Kennedy in Bermuda last December and in his statement in the House on 5th March. President Kennedy indicated in his statement on 2nd March that preparations would be completed by the latter part of April.

Mr. Driberg

Could the right hon. Gentleman at least clear up the obvious contradiction between that Answer given on 5th April and the warning notices to shipping? Why is it necessary to clear an area of 800 miles by 600 miles of shipping and aircraft if there is no danger whatever and it is not necessary to remove human beings? Or are ships more susceptible to fall-out? Or what?

Mr. Butler

No. Strict safety precautions will be taken in relation to what may be described as the static population. I would add that, of course, there will be American and British personnel on Christmas Island at the time of the tests, and the two Governments have naturally satisfied themselves as to their safety.

Mr. Gaitskell

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether the inhabitants of Christmas Island—I believe there are very few of them—have been given an opportunity to move from the area if they so desire?

Mr. Butler

No, but there has been contact with them through the Committee of Plantation Workers, which had expressed anxiety over the situation.

Mr. Gaitskell

May we be told what the content of the expression of opinion by this Committee was, and what reply was given?

Mr. Butler

No. I cannot go further than that today, except to say the Committee has been informed that safety precautions will be taken.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of a statement made by the Prime Minister of Australia that fallout from these tests is more likely to affect the Northern than the Southern hemisphere? As an old Leader of the House, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that we should have an opportunity, on an affirmative Resolution by the Government, of voting either for or against these tests?

Mr. Butler

I think that that falls naturally to my successor as Leader of the House.

Mr. Gaitskell

Could the right hon. Gentleman enlighten us a little more about the position of the inhabitants on Christmas Island? Is not Christmas Island a Colony of ours and are not we responsible for the safety and welfare of the inhabitants? Could not we therefore be informed of exactly what was said to them and what was said in reply?

Mr. Butler

No, Sir, I can only give the information which I have given to the House—that there was contact with the Committee of Plantation Workers. I have no report to give as to the discussion.

Mr. Gaitskell

In that case, could the right hon. Gentleman see that a report is given to the House as soon as possible? This is a matter with which we are concerned and for which we are responsible. Few people are involved but at least the opportunity could have been given to them to get out if they want to.

Mr. Butler

I have no evidence that they desire to go away.