HL Deb 11 May 1983 vol 442 cc465-7

2.57 p.m.

Lord Brockway

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will reconsider their policy of testing nuclear weapons underground in view of the evidence of their effect on health and lives through radiation.

Lord Glenarthur

No, my Lords, Her Majesty's Government have no scientific evidence that the nuclear tests carried out underground at the Nevada test site present any health hazard to test personnel or to the population at large. We carry out only the minimum number of tests necessary to maintain the deterrent effectiveness of our nuclear forces.

Lord Brockway

My Lords, would the noble Lord be a little surprised if I said that his Answer astonished me? Is he aware that there is authoritative evidence in America that, as a result of tests at Nevada, workers a few miles away have been contaminated, that several of them have died within months and that over a insignificant area the incidence of leukaemia in children has increased by 40 per cent.? Does he not know that in 1979 a Committee of the House of Representatives agreed that 43 radiation leaks had occurred from these tests and that 28 of them had been as severe as above ground tests?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, the noble Lord is not quite correct. There have been claims in the technical press of a higher incidence of cancers in particular areas of the United States attributed to testing at the Nevada test site. On detailed examination, however, these claims have not been found to be scientifically well-based.

Lord Renton

My Lords, do not the Russians test their nuclear weapons to see if they work? So long as there is no danger to human life, is it not the most sensible thing to do to test them underground?

Lord Glenarthur

Yes, my Lords.

Lord Mayhew

My Lords, in view of the good record of this country under successive Governments in banning tests, will the Government consider taking steps to commence effective negotiations for a comprehensive ban on tests?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, a comprehensive test ban remains a United Kingdom objective. We will continue to seek an effective and verifiable treaty.

Lord Shinwell

My Lords, have any underground tests been undertaken in the United Kingdom? If so, is there any evidence that they have been detrimental to the health of anybody?

Lord Glenarthur

No, my Lords, no nuclear tests have taken place in the United Kingdom.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, is not the reason for this that there is no area in this country big enough to conduct such tests? Is it not also the case that the Government are examining claims by British servicemen who have suffered damage, injury and death as a result of some of the tests which have taken place? In view of what my noble friend has said, is there not a prima facie case to look at the whole question?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, the answer to the first part of the noble Lord's supplementary question is that there is no place large enough in this country. So far as the other part is concerned, that dealt with nuclear tests which took place in the atmosphere.

Lord Bishopston

My Lords, have the Government considered the recent report of the BMA on the effects of nuclear energy, and will the Government make known their views on these horrific consequences at the same time as they make known the information for which the right reverend Prelate asked a few moments ago?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I think that is a different question.

Lord Kennet

My Lords, in view of the recent Answer to a Parliamentary Question in the House of Commons which showed that this country was the only country to have carried out announced nuclear weapons tests in the world in the last two or three years, can the Government fill in the gaps by saying something about unannounced nuclear weapons tests which have been carried out by other countries in the last two or three years?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I cannot say anything about unannounced nuclear tests carried out by other countries but I can say that the United Kingdom has carried out 15 nuclear tests in Nevada between 1962 and 1983.

Lord Brockway

My Lords, if I may, I will send to the Minister evidence which I have. May I ask him whether it is not the purpose of the tests to provide warheads for Trident at a cost of £5 million for each explosion? In view of the fact that installation of Trident is now a very controversial issue in this country, would it not be better to delay such expenditure?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I have no information at all on costs but, as I have said, the purpose of these tests is to maintain the effectiveness of our nuclear capabilities.