HC Deb 10 March 1964 vol 691 cc235-6
11. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Lord President of the Council and Minister for Science if he will make a statement on new techniques recently developed for the detection of underground nuclear test explosions.

Mr. Hogg

No, Sir. There have been no recent developments in the technique of detecting and identifying underground nuclear explosions of sufficient signifi- cance which would call for a separate statement by the Government.

The Atomic Energy Authority is preparing for publication an account of the relevant scientific work on seismic research undertaken in this country.

Mr. Allaun

Will the Minister confirm that there have been developments at Aldermaston which would make it possible now to detect all underground explosions except those so small as to be of no significance militarily?

Mr. Hogg

No, Sir. I have seen reports in the Press to that effect, but I am informed that they are misleading.