§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement indicating Her Majesty's Government's view on the production of a nuclear device by the South African Government.
§ Mr. MellorWe have no evidence of the production of a nuclear device by the South African Government. We would view the production of such a device by any non-nuclear weapon state with very grave concern. We have consistently urged the South African Government to accede to the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. We welcome the recent South African statement to the International Atomic Energy Agency that they are now willing to negotiate accession to the treaty. This would oblige them to place all their nuclear facilities and materials under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.