§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied that British subjects have not been affected by the fall-out consequences of the recent Indian nuclear explosion.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe responsibility for avoiding danger to any persons whether 301W British or otherwise lies with the Government of India. The Indian Atomic Energy Commission has said that the test was carried out underground and that on-site tests by scientists have revealed no significant amount of radioactivity.
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of Her Majesty's Government's sponsorship of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, he will make representations to the Indian Government following their recent nuclear explosion.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe recent Indian nuclear explosion has introduced a new factor with world and regional implications; it reinforces the need to ensure wider acceptance of the non-proliferation treaty to which Her Majesty's Government continue to attach the greatest importance.
A large part of the international community has subscribed to that treaty and to the partial test ban treaty which together provide a framework to control and limit the explosion of nuclear devices of all sorts in the interests of international peace and security. The non-proliferation treaty includes specific provision for access to the potential benefits of peaceful nuclear explosive technology for all countries which adhere to the treaty. Her Majesty's Government believe that any nuclear explosions for whatever purpose should be carried out within this framework.
The Government of India are well aware that these are our views.