§ Q4. Mr. M. Footasked the Prime Minister whether he has asked President Kennedy for details of the numbers of nuclear tests, both in the atmosphere and underground, which the United States Government intends to authorise in the present series of tests; and what was the reply.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I have told the House, I was fully consulted about the programme of tests at Christmas Island before it began, and I have been kept fully informed of its progress. There have been 24 tests in this series, which is now completed.
§ Mr. FootWhen the Prime Minister says that the series is completed, does that refer to both atmospheric tests and underground tests? Would he, when the series is completed, agree to publish in some suitable form a list of all the tests conducted by all the Powers since testing stated, together with the nuclear Powers involved, so that we may have the full facts on the subject?
§ The Prime MinisterI will certainly consider that suggestion. It would be quite a difficult operation to get all this information, but I will certainly consider it.
§ Mr. GrimondIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that alter the recent statement by the President of the United States there will be the very greatest pressure that at least after the Russians have held their next series of tests, deplorable as those may be, a test ban should be negotiated if it is conceivably possible?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. That has been our object for very many months and I begin to hope that we may succeed.
§ Q5. Mr. M. Footasked the Prime Minister if he will now make a statement about the results of the high-altitude nuclear tests carried out by the United States authorities on 9th July.
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing as yet to add to the answer I gave on 12th July on this subject.
§ Mr. FootThe Prime Minister told us that before these high altitude tests took place he had sent to the United States Government a memorandum drawn up by Sir Bernard Lovell on the subject. Could he say whether the information that he may have received from the United States Government on these high altitude tests has been subjected to independent investigation by British scientists, and will he submit the evidence of Sir Bernard Lovell, amongst others?
§ The Prime MinisterThese tests, as the House knows, are conducted by the United States Government at Johnston Island and are quite separate from the Christmas Island tests in which we agreed to collaborate. It is not yet possible to give a full account of what took place. Our scientists are kept fully 1274 informed as a matter of courtesy by the American scientists on tests carried out entirely on their own authority.
§ Mr. FootWhen the right hon. Gentleman says that because these tests are conducted at Johnston Island they are, therefore, in some way in a different category from the others, surely we are as much interested in what happens in outer space as the rest of humanity, and we have as much right to know what goes on? Could not the right hon. Gentleman, therefore, get from the United States Government as early as possible the fullest account of these high altitude tests so that all the world shall know what really happened?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, we received these because of our close partnership and collaboration with the United States Government. I was only pointing out that whereas at the Christmas Island tests we had a rather different degree of responsibility, the Johnston Island tests are carried out with the United States Government's authority.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the very strong protest made by Sir Robert Watson-Watt, the inventor of radar, against high altitude tests and particularly against any tests that can reach the Van Allen belt?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, all these tests have in fact taken place. What I am asked is whether I should be able to publish some comprehensive account of them. I will look into it. At present the results are being what they call "evaluated", and our scientists will be fully informed.