HC Deb 28 May 1963 vol 678 cc1118-9
Q4. Mr. Driberg

asked the Prime Minister what comments or assurances he has received from the United States Administration in response to the views, warnings, and recommendations contained in the report made to Her Majesty's Government on the effects of high-altitude nuclear explosions on scientific experiments.

The Prime Minister

The United States Government appreciate that scientists may well wish to put forward views on experiments that may have possible harmful effects. They have on a number of occasions declared their willingness, subject to defence considerations, to take account of these views. One such statement of American policy is annexed to the working party's report.

Mr. Driberg

Does that reply mean that the Prime Minister has now received a firm assurance from Washington that there will be consultation with scientists internationally, including such scientists as Sir Bernard Lovell, before there are any more of these high-altitude tests?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir, I should not go so far as that; but the United States Government are quite aware of our position and, subject to the overriding needs of security, I am quite confident that they will take all these matters into consideration.

Mr. M. Foot

In view of the very startling statement made in this report of British scientists, have the Government specifically asked the American Government for an assurance that they would not embark on such tests without consultations with us?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. I should not try, and I should not lend myself to trying, to prevent something if it is really of great national security importance.