§ Q6. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Prime Minister on what date he received the letter and banner of the Hiroshima Mothers' Group for the Prevention of Nuclear War; if these are now available for inspection at No. 10 Downing Street; and if he will make a statement on the policy of the British Government towards the prohibition use, testing and stockpiling of nuclear weapons.
§ The Prime MinisterOn 11th June, Sir, and the banner was later returned as requested to the sender. As for the Government's policy on nuclear weapons, I would refer my hon. Friend to my speech in the debate of 19th July and to the numerous Answers I have given to Questions on this subject.
§ Mr. JenkinsWith reference to that speech and subsequent references, will the Prime Minister confirm that it is still the policy and view of the Government on this question of the nuclear deterrent, in particular of the British independent nuclear deterrent, that, as was said in the Labour Party manifesto, it will not deter anyone and its possession will impress neither friend nor potential foe?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. I think that what I said on 17th December showed that what was claimed to be an independent deterrent in fact was not. I think that our analysis has been confirmed by all the facts which we have learned since. I confirm, as I stated 224 in the debate last December, that it is our policy to internationalise the so-called national deterrent.
§ Mr. MartenWill the Prime Minister confirm that he will keep the British nuclear deterrent for use as a nuclear guarantee to India?
§ The Prime MinisterI have said that what we intend to do as far as India is concerned is to discuss the provision of an effective international deterrent for the purpose of any guarantee which may be worked out for India to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons in Asia.
§ Mrs. Anne KerrDoes my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister appreciate that it is not only the women of Japan who are concerned about the existence of nuclear weapons but women throughout the world, and the women of Great Britain in particular; and that they at least, as a majority group of world women, would appreciate this country's surrender of the right to test nuclear weapons and to have nuclear bases on British soil and the right to take part in nuclear alliances which are contrary to the United Nations Charter?
§ The Prime MinisterI accept that women all over the world want to see the end of nuclear weapons. This view is not, of course, confined to women. We all do. This is why the Government have taken the initative at Geneva—or will be doing so—in tabling proposals to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. Our own national policies were fully explained on 16th and 17th December and subsequently. But I cannot accept that alliances of which we are members are contrary to the United Nations Charter.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Philip Noel-Baker.
§ Mr. Philip Noel-BakerDoes the Prime Minister recall that the Muncipality of Hiroshima and the people of Hiroshima have made constant efforts to warn the nations of the world about the dangers of nuclear war? Will he ensure that if any Members of the present Government visit Japan they will go to Hiroshima and not avoid doing so as Tory Ministers did?
§ The Prime MinisterI will certainly consider my right hon. Friend's proposal. 225 It is a fact that Japan has had a very real interest in warning the world about nuclear weapons. So, if I may say so, has my right hon. Friend the Member for Derby, South (Mr. Philip Noel-Baker), and the chorus of groans from right hon. and hon. Members opposite every time a Nobel Peace Prizewinner gets to his feet is a further addition to our views about their international policies.
§ Mr. BraineIn order to get this into perspective, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that everyone on these benches—and, I feel, everyone on the Government benches—has been a member of the campaign for multilateral nuclear disarmament?
§ The Prime MinisterWe have always supported a comprehensive multilateral agreement to ban nuclear weapons everywhere in the world—
§ Mr. BraineAll of us.
§ The Prime Minister—although I think that some of the policies of the last Government stood in the way of that multilateral convention—[HON. MEMBERS: "Nonsense."]—with their harping on the so-called independent deterrent for purely domestic purposes. This is why my noble Friend is taking an initiative in the matter at Geneva.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Gresham Cooke.
§ Mr. RidsdaleOn a point of order. As an ex-Tory Minister who visited Japan, may I be called to ask a supplementary question?
§ Mr. SpeakerI am sorry. Hon. Members often have special claims to be called, but I have to ignore them in order to make progress.