ATOM TESTS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27498, 4 November 1954, Page 13

ATOM TESTS

Churchill’s View On Control

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 2. Sir Winston Churchill said today that he believed the problem of nuclear weapons was best dealt with at the present time at the United Nations. He told the House of Commons: “I am not convinced that the cessation, wholly or partly, of these explosives would be best advanced by our intervention or by my personal intervention at the present time.” Mr Arthur Henderson, a former Labour Minister, had suggested that, in view of the further nuclear explosions in Russian territory, the Prime Minister should propose to President Eisenhower and Mr Malenkov that all nuclear and atomic explosions should be suspended. The suspension should last until the outcome of further meetings of the sub-committee of the United Nations Disarmament Commission, he added. Lord Hinchingbrooke (Conservative) asked: “Would you be prepared to make clear at some suitable time your attitude on the question of a treaty or act of renunciation by the leading world Powers of the first use of the atomic or hydrogen weapons?” This received loud cheers, mainly from the Labour benches.

The Prime Minister replied: “I think that should be considered along with all other proposals and thus lift this peril' and gloom from the world.“ Mr Reginald Pagqt (Labour) asked how many of these explosions it would take to make the atmosphere lethal and were the effects cumulative. “I believe the effects are cumulative,” Sir Winston Churchill replied. “Certainly an undue number of them might have very serious effects.” He added, smiling: “I am informed, however, that 5000 years is about the limit of the time during which the atmosphere would be affected.” But he quickly resumed seriousness when, noting the Ihughter, he said: T do not want to talk in a facetious manner about something which is perpetually in all our minds.”