§ 48. Mr. Masonasked the Prime Minister, in view of the report from the Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, that radioactivity in the atmosphere as a result of atom and hydrogen bomb tests is lessening, if he will give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will not start another series of tests, and, in view of the fact that most fall-out debris has now settled and is rapidly dissipating with a resultant cleaner atmosphere, if he will instruct Her Majesty's Government's representative to intensify his efforts to obtain a permanent cessation of tests agreement.
§ The Prime MinisterWe have stated that we will not resume testing as long as useful discussions continue at Geneva. This is still our position. As regards the second part of the Question, it remains Her Majesty's Government's firm intention to work for a Treaty providing for a ban on those tests over which control can be made effective, coupled with a moratorium on the smaller underground tests.