HC Deb 04 April 1960 vol 621 cc14-5W
92. Mr. Awbery

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the Foreign Secretary of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics stated at the ten-nation conference last week that his country was willing to establish at every stage of disarmament a corresponding system of control from the beginning of the process to the end; and if he will make a similar statement in order to make it clear that the United Kingdom is not opposed either to disarmament or to mutual inspection.

Mr. R. Allan

This is a point on which Mr. Khrushchev has been in agreement with us since last autumn. On 31st October he said to the Supreme SovietFor every stage of disarmament we propose an appropriate stage of control.

In the Debate on the Address on 29th October my right hon. and learned Friend said: … it is true that there should be no control without disarmament, and we would agree, but I would say that there could be no disarmament without control…"—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 29th October, 1959; Vol. 612, c. 391.]

This formula—no disarmament without control and no control without disarmament—is now common to both sides.

94. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what criteria were used in determining the force level ceilings proposed for the first and second stages of the joint Western disarmament plan.

Mr. R. Allan

These levels were those agreed with the Soviet Union in the disarmament negotiations in 1957.

95. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will propose a revision of the Western plan for disarmament at Geneva to reduce the ceilings for armed forces in the first stage to levels which would bring about a substantial reduction in existing forces.

Mr. R. Allan

The Western plan proposes balanced reductions in armed forces in each of its three stages. My right hon. and learned Friend sees no reason to revise these proposals.

96. Mr. P. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals have been made by the British delegate to the Disarmament Committee of Ten Nations for reports to be sent by the committee to the Disarmament Commission of the United Nations.

Mr. R. Allan

It has already been agreed that the United Nations Disarmament Commission will be kept informed of the progress of the deliberations of the Ten-Power Disarmament Committee. A representative of the Secretary-General attends the Committee's meetings.

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