MANUFACTURE OF H-BOMB

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27699, 1 July 1955, Page 13

MANUFACTURE OF H-BOMB

Britain Rejects Plan To Halt Production (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, June 29. The Prime Minister (Sir Anthony Eden) rejected in the House of Commons yesterday a suggestion that Britain should halt production of the hydrogen bomb for a period as a gesture towards easing international tension. A labour member. Mr Kenneth Robinson, had suggested this “in view of the improved prospects for nuclear and general disarmament.’’ The Prime Minister said that the prospects for nuclear and general disarmament had improved because the Western Powers had persisted in building up their strength. “There is no reason to think that a reversal of this policy would now be either timely or effective.” Mr Robinson said that such a gesture would be regarded not as a sign of weakness but of strength and confidence in the future.

Sir Anthony Eden replied: “We are not the only people manufacturing these hideous weapons. We think that the future of this problem is one which could be discussed in whatever form is appropriate at the Geneva meeting. I do not believe that in advance of negotiations of this kind we would improve our position by gestures of this kind,” he said. Agenda for Geneva The Prime Minister said that as far as the’fWest was concerned any subject could be raised at the forthcoming Geneva meeting of the Government heads of Russia, the United States, Britain and France. Sir Anthony Eden had been questioned on the point. He replied: “No firm agreement on this matter has been reached by the four Foreign Ministers. “But it 4s clear from the terms of the invitation which the Governments of Britain, France, and the United States addressed to the Soviet Government on May 10 that so far as they are concerned any subject may be raised.” Mr Arthur Henderson, a former Labour Air Minister, who had raised the matters, further asked whether the Prime Minister was referring to the meeting o fthe Heads of Government as opposed to the separate meetings to be held by the Foreign Ministers. The Prime Minister replied: “That was the offer in dealing with the meeting of the Heads of Government. This is our position.”