§ 29. Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on disarmament in the General Assembly of the United Nations.
§ Mr. MulleyThe resumed session of the General Assembly is considering the revised draft of the Non-Proliferation Treaty which was submitted by the Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Committee. I made a statement on 1st May urging the endorsement of the Treaty by the General Assembly with a view to its being opened for signature as soon as possible. The text of this statement is available in the Library and I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. WhitakerCould my right hon. Friend have a word with my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House to ask that we might have a debate on this subject, which is of somewhat more importance than most that we talk about in this Chamber?
§ Mr. MulleyI should very much welcome a debate, but I am not sure that I have that amount of influence with my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Philip Noel-BakerMay I press on my right hon. Friend that he should represent to my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House that the House should have adequate influence to get such a debate?
§ Mr. MulleyI am very encouraged by these statements, but I would point out to my right hon. Friend and my hon. Friend that in these matters back-benchers often carry more weight than frontbenchers. Perhaps we could do a joint exercise.