HC Deb 13 June 1974 vol 874 cc626-7W
Mr. Clemitson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Government of France about their atmospheric nuclear tests in the Pacific Ocean, in order to protect the interests of British subjects in the area.

Mr. James Callaghan

I asked the French Ambassador to call yesterday and expressed to him Her Majesty's Government's deep regret that the French Government had decided to carry out a further series of atmospheric nuclear tests in the Pacific this year. I told him that we were glad to note that this was to be the last such series and expressed the hope that when it is complete the French Government would then see no obstacle to acceding to the Partial Test Ban Treaty. In the interests of the inhabitants of British Dependent Territories in the area we shall carry out radiological monitoring of these tests.