§ 74. Sir J. Edenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to maintain technological progress in nuclear weapons in this country; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftBy arrangement between the Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom, an underground test of a British nuclear device will be carried out at the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission's Test Site in Nevada in the near future. The test, which was requested by the British Government will be conducted under the 1958 Agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom for Cooperation in the Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defence Purposes.
Both Governments are satisfied that substantial technical and military benefits can be obtained by testing a British nuclear device underground as part of a continuing nuclear research programme. The test will be carried out within the framework of the limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of August, 1963.