§ Q2. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the consequences of the explosion of an H-bomb by Communist China 413 in relation to the search for agreement on a nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
§ Q9. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Prime Minister what further action he proposes to take in order to get agreement on a non-proliferation treaty, in view of the recent explosion of a nuclear device by China.
§ The Prime MinisterWe regret the continued Chinese atmospheric tests, which underline both the dangers of proliferation and the urgent need for a nonproliferation treaty. I am sure that our best course is to persevere with the effort to get an agreed treaty on the table at Geneva as soon as possible.
§ Mr. William HamiltonDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the explosion of China's H-bomb makes the maintenance of world peace immeasurably more precarious? Can he say what consultations have taken place between the Government and Commonwealth countries such as India and Australia on the implications of this development?
§ The Prime MinisterI have had discussions myself with the Prime Minister of Australia. With regard to consultations with India and other Commonwealth countries, this is one of the most important questions lending urgency to the Geneva Conference. We are in close touch with the Indian Government, both bilaterally and at the Geneva Conference.
§ Mrs. Renée ShortDoes my right hon. Friend not think he should now be arousing world opinion and putting pressure on the President of the United States to ensure that China is admitted to the United Nations in pursuance of Labour Party policy? Further, will he make it crystal clear to all our European allies that in no circumstances will we tolerate any opposition under the pretext of signing a non-proliferation treaty?
§ The Prime MinisterOn the first question, we have consistently done everything in our power to get recognition of China's right to sit at the United Nations table. In my speech to the General Assembly, and in the speech by my right hon. Friend also to the General Assembly last year, we pressed this point, both of us, very strongly indeed. So far as nonproliferation is concerned, I have nothing to add to previous answers, but I think 414 that I have made it clear to the House how very desirable it is to get a nonproliferation agreement signed at the earliest possible moment.
§ Mr. BessellMay I ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the apparent instability of the Peking Government, this does not take on a very serious complication, and whether some effort should be made to act on the lines suggested by the original Question?
§ The Prime MinisterOne does not need to indulge in speculation about the internal situation in China to be well aware of the tremendous dangers of proliferation by other countries fearing that they might be threatened and seeking to become nuclear Powers themselves. That provides sufficient urgency without further discussions about it. The answer must be sought at Geneva and, when China is in the United Nations, there as well.
§ Q5. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Prime Minister if, in view of the changed world situation created by China in testing of the hydrogen bomb, he will now seek to convene a summit meeting of world leaders to discuss disarmament.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. We continue to believe that the best way to make progress towards our arms control and disarmament objectives is to persevere in the present negotiations, in the Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Committee at Geneva.
§ Mr. RobertsDoes not the Prime Minister agree with me that one of the greatest threats to world peace is the isolation of the Chinese leadership, accentuated particularly by the attitude of the Americans at the United Nations? Can my right hon. Friend tell the House what active steps the Government have in mind to integrate China with the community of nations?
§ The Prime MinisterI would not under-rate the difficulties presented by the challenge in the last few words of my hon. Friend's question. As for bringing China into her rightful place in the United Nations, my right hon. Friend and I—indeed, all of us—have pressed at successive Assembly meetings for China to be seated. We have spoken, pressed, organised and voted to that 415 effect. However, there is not yet a majority in favour of China's admittance. It is not a case of just one country being against it.
§ Mr. LongdenSince, in spite of the efforts of the present Administration and the previous one, China is not a member of the United Nations, how can the Prime Minister think that she will take any notice of any agreement which lays on the table at Geneva?
§ The Prime MinisterAs I said earlier, I think that the first step is to get the non-proliferation agreement settled. This, after all, will provide some guarantee against other nations feeling that they must themselves become nuclear Powers in order to face any threat which may come from China. The second matter is to get China into the United Nations, and then the problem can be transferred to the United Nations forum for settlement.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesSince the first nuclear bomb in history was dropped by white men on yellow men, is it not one of the most colossal pieces of impertinence and hypocrisy for the white people to reprove the Chinese before doing something themselves by chucking away their own weapons?
§ The Prime MinisterWhile not associating myself with those words, it is certainly the policy of Her Majesty's Government—and this is what we are working for—not only to stop proliferation among other non-nuclear Powers but to get progressive nuclear disarmament by those who have nuclear weapons at present.