§ 29. Mr. Prenticeasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the resumed Disarmament Conference in Geneva; what studies in particular have been made during the four-week recess of the proposals of the eight non-aligned members relating to the inspection of test-ban agreements; and whether Her Majesty's Government will support these proposals.
§ Mr. HeathThe Disarmament Conference at Geneva is continuing the40W negotiations which were adjourned on 15th June. Studies conducted with our allies during the recess have included consideration of the memorandum of the eight non-aligned countries, but I cannot give details. Its authors have made it clear that the memorandum is intended to serve only as a basis for negotiation and Her Majesty's Government have already accepted it as such.
§ 36. Mr. Sorensenasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will instruct the United Kingdom representative at the Geneva conference on disarmament to propose that no nation should seek to produce nuclear weapons of greater potential than those already in existence, in view of the extension of racial genetic hazards which they would create.
§ Mr. HeathIf such a proposal were made and apparently accepted there would be no assurance that the undertaking was being observed. The way to end these risks is an agreement on general and complete disarmament, for which Her Majesty's Government are working at Geneva.