HL Deb 30 January 1973 vol 338 cc492-4
LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have had communications with the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga regarding the intention of the French Government to test a nuclear weapon in the Pacific.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have had no communications with the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga concerning this matter.

LORD BROCKWAY

But, my Lords, should they not have done so? Is the Minister not aware of the deep feeling throughout the Pacific, not only in Commonwealth countries but in Japan and in the South American countries bordering the Pacific? Is he not also aware that the New Zealand Government are threatening to send a frigate into the test area with the Prime Minister on board, and should we not at least do something? I do not know why that is regarded by noble Lords as a laughing matter. It indicates a depth of feeling among the people of New Zealand. May I ask the Minister whether, even if we do not take action on behalf of the Commonwealth, we ought not to take action on behalf of the British Colonial territories in the Pacific?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, of course I am aware that there are deep feelings about the reports that we have heard that these tests may take place, although as the noble Lord is aware and as I believe my noble friend told him before Christmas, there is no official confirmation about that at the present time. Certainly we are deeply conscious of our responsibilities to our dependencies in the Pacific. I am able to tell the House also that the French Government are perfectly well aware of our feelings in this matter and of our responsibilities.

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, is the noble Marquess really saying that there is no communication with the Commonwealth Governments? Is he not aware that there have been public protests against these tests, not only by the present Government but by the previous Liberal Coalition Government in Australia? Has there been no exchange of any kind? Does he really expect us to believe that that is true?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I say that there has been no exchange of any kind, but obviously we are very well aware of the feelings of the Governments of Australia and New Zealand in this matter. Indeed, that is one of the reasons why we supported the resolution which they were co-sponsoring in the United Nations calling for the suspension of atmospheric tests.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, would the noble Marquess give an undertaking that if Her Majesty's Government do receive official advice that these tests are going to be undertaken, recognising their duties to our dependent peoples in the Pacific they will take up this matter in the most forceful terms possible?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTFIIAN

My Lords, I will certainly undertake to pass on that remark to my noble friend and to my right honourable friend.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

My Lords, as the fall-out from these bombs does not recognise any frontier, could the noble Marquess say where the fallout is to affect before we make our protest?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I do not think that I can answer the noble Baroness on that point without notice. It is a very relevant point. All I can tell her is that on the last occasion when these tests were carried out, the R.A.F. team on the island of Pitcairn reported no hazard to health there; and that, I understand, is the most dangerous possible place where there might be some hazard.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that this stuff can be ingested or inhaled and there may be some later trouble? Nobody can say, perhaps for some years, how an individual is harmed. That was proved in Hiroshima, Japan.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I understand that point and it is something that we have fully in mind.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, in view of the Minister's reference to New Zealand action at the United Nations, can he indicate whether Her Majesty's Government will support the New Zealand proposal that the area of Polynesia should be made a nuclear-free area, free from tests, similar to the treaty in the Antarctic area? Is that not facilitated by the fact that the Australian Government has now indicated that it will support the nonproliferation treaty?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I will certainly undertake to look into that matter.