HC Deb 02 May 1962 vol 658 cc995-7
4. Mr. Driberg

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether Her Majesty's Government supported the proposal put forward at Geneva by the Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs, that all the members of the disarmament conference should make a formal declaration with the object of ensuring that outer space should be used for peaceful purposes only; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Heath

On 27th March at Geneva my noble Friend the Foreign Secretary said that Her Majesty's Government were in full agreement with the general purpose of the Canadian proposal.

Mr. Driberg

While we welcome that statement by the Lord Privy Seal, can he say whether this proposal is not highly relevant to the latest American announcement of high-altitude tests? Since this proposal was welcomed at Geneva, will he make representations to the American Administration in the light of the protests yesterday by eminent scientists like Sir Bernard Lovell?

Mr. Heath

The Western Powers have made it quite plain that they are prepared to discuss this Canadian proposal. Unfortunately, the Soviet delegate at Geneva has refused to allow a discussion.

Mr. Paget

Can the Lord Privy Seal tell us why we are in favour of this, since if we are to have tests at all, and we are told that tests poison the atmosphere, is there not a case for having them out of the atmosphere, particularly as if they are out of the atmosphere they are of danger only to rockets which are also out of the atmosphere and the fall-out by the time it gets here is less radioactive than a luminous watch?

Mr. Heath

These are part of the proposals concerned with general and complete disarmament. It is also the policy of Her Majesty's Government to obtain a proper testing agreement.

Mr. Driberg

Can the right hon. Gentleman answer my supplementary question? He evaded it completely. Will he make approaches to the American Administration about these high-altitude tests, in view of the support which he has announced for the Canadian proposal?

Mr. Heath

No. Her Majesty's Government's position in relation to the American tests is perfectly well known.

Mr. Driberg

No, it is not.

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