HC Deb 01 May 1962 vol 658 cc813-6
Q5. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a further statement on the United States test explosions on Christmas Island.

Mr. Butler

I have been asked to reply.

I have nothing to add to the announcement by the United States Atomic Energy Commission on 24th April that President Kennedy had authorised the Commission and the Department of Defence to proceed with a series of tests, and the subsequent announcements by the Commission that the first and second nuclear test detonations took place in the vicinity of Christmas Island on 25th and 27th April.

Mr. Henderson

In view of the United States announcement yesterday that three high altitude tests are to take place next month, one of them involving an explosion 500 miles in the sky, could we be told what steps the Government are taking to limit the concentration of radioactive fall-out, and what estimates are being made as to the yield of radioactive fall-out consequent upon these explosions in comparison with those that were made last year by the Soviet Government?

Mr. Butler

I can give no definite answer on these matters today. I will undertake to discuss them with my right hon. Friend immediately on his return.

Mr. Shinwell

When the right hon. Gentleman the Prime Minister agreed with President Kennedy about the desirability of proceeding with the tests on Christmas Island, were the Government aware that one of the tests, as reported yesterday, would have an effect 3,000 miles away? In view of the colossal nature of these tests, is it not desirable that the Government should make an announcement as to their views on this subject? Is this not an affront to civilisation?

Mr. Butler

As I said, I cannot make any further statement today. I am perfectly ready to accept questions put by hon. Members and to see that they are properly examined with a view to an answer in due course.

Mr. Gaitskell

This really is not very satisfactory. Cannot the right hon. Gentleman say something in reply to the question about the very high altitude tests? As I understand it, the fall-out from these tests is likely to be much less than that from other tests. If that is the case, why does not the right hon. Gentleman say so? If, on the other hand, there are greater dangers from these tests, we are entitled to be informed.

Mr. Butler

One can make general observations of that sort. It is true that when a test is carried out at a high altitude the fall-out takes longer to reach the earth's surface and, consequently, owing to the rate of radioactive decay, the effect is less than that of tests carried out at a lower level. We have been further informed by the Americans that the radioactive fall-out will be kept to a minimum.

Mr. S. Silverman

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that it is a moral affront to the British people that British territory should be used for tests of this kind in circumstances when they are neither necessary nor useful, when negotiations are still proceeding, and when the Government carrying them out is as irresponsible as it is immoral?

Mr. Butler

I do not accept any single remark made by the hon. Gentleman. The Prime Minister has stated perfectly clearly all that preceded the resumption of these tests and the reasons for the tests. These reasons are well known to the House, and I have no reason to repeat them here today.

Mr. Driberg

When the right hon. Gentleman says that an assurance has been given that fall-out will be kept to a minimum, can he say what "minimum" means? Does he yet know how much it means in terms of human damage—new cases of bone cancer and leukaemia and of genetic damage?

Hon. Members

What about the Russian tests?

Mr. Driberg

Of course the Russian tests have the same bad effect and we protested against them. If the right hon. Gentleman does not know this, what right had Her Majesty's Government to assent to these tests?

Mr. Butler

The statement issued by the United States Atomic Energy Commission said that it was accepted that some short-lived radio activities, such as iodine 131, would be detectable during and shortly after the series. I have no report of what the scientific assessment of that is as yet.

Mr. D. Price

Will my right hon.; Friend confirm the reports in the Press i that these new high altitude tests are supposed to be taking place on Johnstone Island, which, I understand, is an American and not a British island, t and will he also confirm that the purpose of the test is to develop an anti-I missile weapon and not a weapon of t offence?

Mr. Butler

I have no further statement to make on this subject today.

Mr. M. Foot

Would the right hon. Gentleman tell us, first, whether the British Government were informed in advance that this series of American tests would include these high altitude tests? Secondly, whether the proposals about them were independently examined by British scientists before we, accepted the views of the American scientists on the matter? Thirdly, I whether the whole proposal for going ahead with these American tests and the, British Government's approval of them was reconsidered in view of the proposals which have been put forward by the neutral nations at Geneva?

Mr. Butler

When answering Questions for the Prime Minister on the last occasion, I referred to proposals by neutral nations. I said that that was under consideration by Her Majesty's Government and by the Governments principally concerned. Other associations or communications between the United States and the United Kingdom Governments must be regarded as confidential.

Mr. Gaitskell

On the question of fall-out, can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the expected fall-out from the American tests as compared with the Soviet tests last autumn?

Mr. Butler

No, Sir, except in the answer that I gave, namely, that the high nature of these tests reduces the radioactive effect of the fall-out.