HC Deb 18 July 1963 vol 681 cc725-6
Q7. Mr. George Craddock

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the test ban talks now taking place in Moscow, he will ask the British representative to raise for discussion the subject of international espionage as relevant to inspections in connection with testing of nuclear weapons.

The Prime Minister

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) on Tuesday.

Mr. Craddock

I regret that reply. Will the Prime Minister be good enough to consider this matter further? Can he oblige us by saying what are the reasons why the question cannot be discussed at the Moscow talks?

The Prime Minister

I feel that the House will agree that, at this stage of the negotiations, there is nothing that I could say which would be useful and there are many things which I might say which would be damaging. Therefore, I propose to say nothing.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Does the Prime Minister recollect that Mr. Khrushchev, during his visit to America, made the suggestion that secret documents could be exchanged with mutual value to both sides?

The Prime Minister

Yes, but that is not related to whether I could say any thing now about the Moscow negotiations.

Mr. Ridley

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is not in our interests to have such an arrangement since we have caught more spies than the Russians have?