HC Deb 08 March 1962 vol 655 cc587-8
Q7. Mr. Rankin

asked the Prime Minister what consultations he had with President Kennedy prior to the United States decision to resume atmospheric test next month at Christmas Island.

The Prime Minister

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement which I made on Monday.

Mr. Rankin

Is the Prime Minister aware of the growing feeling that, apart altogether from any kind of proposal that Mr. Khrushchev may make, the United States will resume atmospheric tests on Christmas Island, on the simple ground that she is now prepared to use her nuclear and conventional might for the same sort of reason that we used to use the gunboat?

The Prime Minister

Of course, if that is the hon. Gentleman's view of the policies pursued by the British Government and the United States Government together, I cannot change his mind. All that I can do is to repeat again what I said had been agreed and state what I believe to be the hope of the whole House—that the conversations about to open in Geneva may be fruitful.