Thermo-nuclear Weapons

HC Deb 13 March 1958 vol 584 cc73-4W

72. Dr. Stross

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what studies have been made of the possible effects of an attack upon Great Britain by means of thermo-nuclear bombs; and whether he will have these published.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Comprehensive and continuing studies of this problem have been in progress since the results of the Bikini tests became available. Preliminary conclusions were published in the Statement on Defence, 1955 (Cmd. 9391). The results of later work have been and will continue to be incorporated in training material for the Civil Defence Services and information has been published in popular form, in the pamphlet "The Hydrogen Bomb". These reinforce the conclusion that in spite of the unprecedented destruction that would be caused by thermo-nuclear weapons much could be done to mitigate their effects.