§ Q1. Mr. Shinwellasked the Prime Minister what communication he has received from President Kennedy on the success of high altitude tests and their military value.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)There have as yet been no high altitude nuclear test explosions in the current series.
§ Mr. ShinwellOn the general question of tests, will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that these tests have gone far enough and that it is desirable to make representations to President Kennedy, and that if the right hon. Gentleman is earnestly seeking the promotion of disarmament and the termination of the arms race, which no doubt he is, it is desirable to take some action?
§ The Prime MinisterThe tests with which the Question is concerned are on Johnston Island. We agreed to the series of tests on Christmas Island for reasons which I have explained to the House, and I hope that that series will shortly be concluded.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes that mean that so far as the United Kingdom is concerned we shall not proceed with any more tests?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is another question. I am talking about the tests which it was agreed should take place on Christmas Island and of which the House is well aware, and I hope that that series will soon be concluded.
§ Mr. FernyhoughCan the Prime Minister say whether the reason for these high-altitude tests not having taken place is that President Kennedy is now taking cognisance of what world scientific opinion thinks about their danger?
§ The Prime MinisterI was just stating as a matter of fact that no high-altitude test explosion had taken place.
§ Q2. Mrs. Castleasked the Prime Minister what reply he has sent to the letter sent to him on 5th June by Professor Lewis Don Leet offering to collaborate with Her Majesty's Government's scientific advisers in the detection of underground tests.
§ The Prime MinisterProfessor Leet wrote to me at the request of the hon. Lady enclosing an offprint of an article by him published in the magazine called the "Scientific American".
687 This article has been studied by the Government's scientific advisers and a reply has been sent on my behalf to Professor Leet's letter.
§ Mrs. CastleIs not this gentleman the seismologist in charge of the seismological station of Harvard University? Is it not a fact that he believes that he has discovered a seismological method for detecting underground tests and has written to the Prime Minister to say that he would greatly appreciate any opportunity of discussions with the British Government's scientific advisers on the possibility of testing his method? Can the right hon. Gentleman treat this approach as a matter of great seriousness? Will he assure the House that he will send an affirmative answer to this request by Professor Don Leet?
§ The Prime MinisterI have answered Professor Leet, and if Professor Leet wishes to publish my answer it is for him to do so; but it would be quite wrong to publish it until he has received it.
§ Mrs. CastleIs it not a fact that in reply to earlier Questions, when I asked the Prime Minister about Professor Don Leet's discovery, he said that Her Majesty's Government's scientific advisers were always willing to examine any evidence which might lead to a basis on which we could ban nuclear tests once and for all in a foolproof way? Will the Prime Minister give us a more constructive answer now?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is simply a matter of courtesy. Professor Leet wrote to me and I have sent a reply. I do not think that I should publish the reply. It is for him to publish it, if he wishes to do so.