§ 47. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Prime Minister the policy of the Government with regard to the official proposals 158W of the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics requesting the United Nations to call a World Conference at which to propose and arrange for the destruction of all atomic bombs and hydrogen bombs.
§ The Prime MinisterI have seen certain proposals contained in the Soviet statement on 18th February. These have not yet been officially communicated to Her Majesty's Government or to the United Nations. The United Nations Disarmament Sub-Committee, on which the United States, France, Canada, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom are represented, is meeting in London on Friday. The Soviet Delegate will doubtless unfold and explain the proposals of his Government to the sub-committee, whose meetings are to be held in private. I feel sure in the interest of international agreement that this is the best method of discussing these issues. If this could be achieved, a world conference would be possible and necessary.