§ 6. Mr. Dribergasked the Lord Privy Seal what steps have been taken to supply delegates at Geneva with up-to-date information on the detection and identification of nuclear tests; whether this information includes reports on the immediate identification in the United States of the Soviet underground test of 2nd February, and on "Project Gnome," a small underground test conducted in the United States, in conditions supposed to muffle and conceal such explosions, which was nevertheless recorded and identified in Finland and Japan; and if, for the information of hon. Members, he will obtain and place in the Library of the House the first report on this test, already published, and others as they become available.
§ Mr. HeathDelegates at Geneva have access to extensive documentation on the possibility of detecting and identifying all nuclear tests, resulting from over three years of negotiation.
Both the Soviet underground test of 2nd February and the "Project Gnome" explosion, which was carried out in conditions not entirely corresponding to the hon. Gentleman's description, have been the subject of discussion at Geneva.
The first report on the "Project Gnome" explosion is unclassified. It is available in Geneva and I will arrange for a copy of it to be placed in the Library of the House as soon as possible. Whether subsequent reports on it can be placed in the Library will depend on their security classification.
§ Mr. DribergWould the right hon. Gentleman say in what respect the report of "Project Gnome" does not correspond with the necessarily brief summary of it in this Question? Could he also say whether he has read this report? If not, will he do so? If he 998 has read it, does he agree that it makes nonsense of most of the theories of Dr. Teller?
§ Mr. HeathI cannot agree with the view the hon. Gentleman expressed in the last part of his supplementary question. Where I think his Question makes an implication from which I differ is that the fact that these tests were being carried out was known in advance and publicised. Therefore, it is not the same as if they took place suddenly or spontaneously and people had to detect them.
Mr. H. WilsonSince the Soviet Government claim that all tests can now be verified from outside the country where they take place, will the right hon. Gentleman arrange for the Soviet scientists to be confronted by ours and challenged to give a list of all the American explosions which have occurred, whether those which have been announced or those which have not been announced? Then we can see whether they have in fact been able to detect all the American explosions. As the deadlock in Geneva revolves on that issue, would it not be a good idea to press the Russians on this matter?
§ Mr. HeathWe have already suggested at Geneva that there should be a further meeting of the Western and Russian scientists in order that the Russian scientists could place their information before our own scientists and compare notes to see whether the Russian claims can be maintained. We have pressed that as hard as we can.
§ Mr. A. HendersonCan the Lord Privy Seal say whether any progress has been made at the test ban conference since the Prime Minister made his statement on 17th April? Could he also take this opportunity of clarifying the neutrals' proposals with regard to international verification? Are they consistent with a mandatory obligation? Could they be consistent with what is called an invitational undertaking? If so, can he say whether the Soviet delegation has clarified its position with regard to each of these interpretations of the neutrals' proposals?
§ Mr. HeathThe right hon. and learned Gentleman's supplementary question contains a very large number of questions. As I understand it, no 999 further progress has been made in that part of the conference at Geneva, although there was, of course, a recess for part of the time—over Easter. If the right hon. and learned Gentleman will put down his remaining questions I will try to secure an answer in detail for him. There are important points about their proposals still to be clarified by the neutrals, and the Soviet representative has so far refused to specify an answer to the question as to whether or not he would accept verification.
§ Mr. John HallCan my right hon. Friend say what answer has been received to the suggestion that Western scientists and Soviet scientists should meet?