HC Deb 13 June 1973 vol 857 cc1466-8
8. Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in making arrangements for monitoring the fall-out from the forthcoming French nuclear tests in British dependencies in the Pacific.

Mr. Amery

We have as a precaution stationed a two-man team on Pitcairn Island. In the event of a French test series, the team will, as in previous years, conduct radiological monitoring. The team were landed on Pitcairn by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary "Sir Percivale".

Mr. Judd

Are not these arrangements very poor, since it is possible that far-reaching genetic and health damage will already have been done if the tests have taken place? Why cannot the Government come clean now and make a public pronouncement, in harmony with their Commonwealth colleagues, Australia and New Zealand, denouncing the irresponsibility of these tests and totally dissociating themselves from the French Government's policy?

Mr. Amery

The hon. Gentleman asked what arrangements we had made for monitoring the tests and I gave him an accurate account of what we are doing. The French Government are well aware of our view that atmospheric tests are wrong, and we hope that in due course they will adhere to the treaty.

Mr. Marten

Have the Government made really fundamental representations to the French Government about this matter, in view of our responsibility for these islands in the Pacific?

Mr. Amery

The French Government are well aware of our view, and the entirely independent Pacific Governments of Australia and New Zealand have made their own representations.

Mr. Dalyell

Precisely what is meant by the phrase "as a precaution"?

Mr. Amery

Previously, when there have been tests, we have stationed teams to monitor their effect, and so far, as the hon. Gentleman knows, the tests have led to no increase in radiation.

Mr. Laurance Reed

Does my right hon. Friend believe in consistency in our policies? Is it not inconsistent to send gunboats to Iceland to prevent a large enclosure of the sea for purposes of fishery conservation yet not to utter even a whisper of protest when the French propose to enclose, equally illegally, a large area of the sea for nuclear test purposes?

Mr. Amery

I do not think so, because there has been what I think one may call aggression on the part of Iceland in regard to fishing, but hitherto on a number of occasions the French tests have led to no increase of radiation.