ATOM DEBATE IN COMMONS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27592, 24 February 1955, Page 13

ATOM DEBATE IN COMMONS

(Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, February 22. The Prime Minister (Sir Winston Churchill) said today he would deal with the ‘‘dominating subject of atomic warfare” when he speaks in a House of Commons debate on defence next week. Mr Arthur Henderson, a former Labour Air Minister, asked in the House of Commons what consultations the Prime Minister had had with the Indian Prime Minister (Mr Nehru) to implement the Indian proposal to the United Nations that all atomic an£ hydrogen tests be banned. Sir Winston Churchill said he did not propose to add to the communique issued at the end of the London Conference of Commonwealth Prime Ministers.

After more questions, the Prime Minister said: “I have nothing to add This is a very grave matter affecting the whole future of mankind. “We have a view and policy and we intend to pursue it. It has been, to some extent, set forth in the White Paper. It will be freely debated by the House in the prolonged debate we shall have next week.” Pressed by Mr Henderson to say whether this meant that next week he would state the British Government’s policy on the Indian Government’s proposal. Sir Winston Churchill replied: “We have not accepted that proposal.”