HC Deb 18 July 1960 vol 627 cc4-5W
46. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will, after consultation with the appropriate Commonwealth or Colonial powers, propose to the United States of America and France that an approach be made to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for joint experiments in the detection of underground nuclear tests to be carried out in the British Commonwealth.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I do not consider this is necessary. It has been agreed between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government that all the nuclear explosions necessary in a coordinated programme of research can be organised in the United States. The question now under discussion at Geneva is whether the Russians will accept the arrangements proposed for the observation by the three Powers of these nuclear explosions. The United States delegate at the Conference tabled new proposals on 12th July which the Soviet delegate undertook to refer to his Government. I think we must await the outcome.