§ Q3. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the damage to the Van Allan radiation belts caused by high-altitude nuclear explosions, he will discuss with President Kennedy and Mr. Khrushchev the cessation of all such explosions in the interests of further space research.
§ The Prime MinisterWe are doing our best to bring nuclear testing to an end in all environments. But in the absence of a test ban agreement I do not think any purpose would be served by trying to ban one particular type of amospheric test.
§ Mr. HendersonIs the Prime Minister aware that the official statement issued in Moscow last Friday, as reported in the Guardian on Saturday, indicated that the Soviet Government were preparing to resume atmospheric tests? Will not he consider proposing to President Kennedy and Mr. Khrushchev that they should issue a joint declaration agreeing 1120 not to resume atmospheric tests pending the outcome of the Geneva nuclear test ban conference?
§ The Prime MinisterI very much hope that this statement is not true. I shall certainly consider what the right hon. and learned Member has said.
§ Sir H. Legge-BourkeWill my right hon. Friend also bear in mind the fact that not only further space research but radio astronomy and visual astronomy would be affected adversely by these expositions, as was the case with the rainbow bomb?
§ The Prime MinisterYes.
§ Mr. DribergCould the Prime Minisster say whether, since this matter was raised last Thursday at Question Time, he has fulfilled the undertaking he then gave to his hon. Friend the Member for Isle of Ely (Sir H. Legge-Bourke) that he would communicate with the President about it?
§ The Prime MinisterOn this particular matter I am in touch with the President on the whole problem. I hope that some advance might possibly be made.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerIf the military purpose of a high-altitude test is to paralyse and put out of action the radar warning system of an enemy State, is it to our advantage to encourage Russia by our example to obtain a bomb which will do that?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that is a rather shortened account of the military purpose involved.