HC Deb 16 March 1964 vol 691 cc113-4W
51 and 52. Mr. P. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what proposals for armament reduction he made to the Committee of Eighteen Nations at Geneva; and whether he will make a statement;

(2) what proposals he made to the Committee of Eighteen Nations on Disarmament for the improvement of their procedure.

Mr. R. A. Butler

In my speech to the Conference I listed six cardinal points upon which we should try to reach agreement if we are to make practical progress:

  • An agreement on observation posts in the N.A.T.O. and Warsaw Pact areas.
  • A comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty.
  • An agreement to ban the further dissemination of nuclear weapons or knowledge.
  • The increased use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
  • A freeze of strategic nuclear delivery vehicles.
  • The early physical destruction of some armaments.

I then outlined three further proposals as worthy of particular attention and study:

  • An improved procedure for the Disarmament Conference, making use of informal working groups.
  • A new approach to verification.
  • Proposals for international peace-keeping.

I also had the opportunity of useful discussions with the other delegates to the Conference.