Oral Answers to Questions — Nuclear Weapons

– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 3 May 1965.

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Photo of Mr Peter Blaker Mr Peter Blaker , Blackpool South 12:00, 3 May 1965

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he will make a statement on the progress made by Her Majesty's Government towards an international agreement on the non-dissemination of nuclear weapons.

Photo of Mr Michael Maitland Stewart Mr Michael Maitland Stewart , Fulham

Non-dissemination will, of course, be one of the major questions to be discussed by the United Nations Disarmament Commission, now in session in New York, and we hope that this meeting will provide a new impetus towards a non-dissemination agreement. It is still our view that the most useful body for the detailed consideration of disarmament measures is the Geneva Conference, and we hope that the Disarmament Commission will support this view.

Photo of Mr Peter Blaker Mr Peter Blaker , Blackpool South

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that one of the main reasons advanced by the Communist countries in the past for not signing an agreement on non-dissemination has been the proposal for an M.L.F.? Is it not clear that they are now advancing the same objections in relation to the A.N.F.?

Photo of Mr Michael Maitland Stewart Mr Michael Maitland Stewart , Fulham

Yes, Sir, though, as has been pointed out, those objections are baseless.

Photo of Mr Peter Thomas Mr Peter Thomas , Conway

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate when the disarmament conference at Geneva is likely to meet? Does he really expect any progress in this important field from the conference in the United Nations?

Photo of Mr Michael Maitland Stewart Mr Michael Maitland Stewart , Fulham

I made clear a little while ago that we were disappointed that the Soviet Union were not prepared jointly with the United States to bring the Geneva Conference together again and that progress in the United Nations Disarmament Commission was bound to be slower. What I am hoping is that the Disarmament Commission will reach a resumption of the conference at Geneva, and then on this question we can make progress.