§ 25. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what conditions Her Majesty's Government requires to be fulfilled to give support to nuclear-free zones in certain areas.
§ Mr. P. ThomasEach area has its own particular problems and proposals for nuclear-free zones must be considered on their individual merits. In general, however, Her Majesty's Government consider that a decision to form a nuclear-free zone should be taken voluntarily and freely by the States concerned. All militarily significant States, and if possible all States in the zone proposed, should participate. The creation of such a zone should not disturb the existing military balance, and there should be arrangements for impartial verification adequate to the particular circumstances.
§ Mr. SwinglerHow is it possible to make such arrangements unless some proposals are put forward by leading Powers? Why it is that, whenever proposals are put forward like the Rapacki Plan or by the African States, Her Majesty's Government have always turned them down? How is it possible to get discussions or agreements on this matter unless leading Governments actually tables proposals?
§ Mr. ThomasThat is not quite true. Proposals were put forward at the United Nations in relation to Latin America. Her Majesty's Government did not turn them down, but supported a resolution calling upon the Latin American States to initiate studies with a view to establishing a nuclear-free zone.
§ Mr. SwinglerWill the hon. Gentleman support a resolution calling upon the Latin American Powers to study proposals on this lines, for example, of the plan put forward by Mr. Rapacki?
§ Mr. ThomasNo, Sir. Because such proposals would conflict with the criteria which I have given in my Answer.