NUCLEAR DEFENCE

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28253, 15 April 1957, Page 9

NUCLEAR DEFENCE

Macmillan On Decision

LONDON, April 12. The Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan) tonight defended Britain’s decision to base her defence on nuclear weapons, but promised to work for a comprehensive disarmament agreement. Any other course, he told a public meeting at Ayr, Scotland, would have Europe and the free world at the mercy of Soviet power.

In a reference to the Suez Canal question, the Prime Minister said that no permanent confidence would be created among the users of the canal until the Egyptian Government accepted the six principles approved by the Security Council. Any Egyptian Government that looked to the future would be wise to win the confidence of its customers, the Prime Minister said. Mr Macmillan said that the Government believed its new defence plan would provide forces more mobile, better trained, and better equipped. The forces would in due course be smaller, but they would be more efficient. “Deterrent Power”

All this depended on Britain’s readiness to base itself on tHe deterrent power of nuclear weapons.

Mr Macmillan said: “I recognise, of course, the terrible character of these weapons and the deep longing of all the civilised world to escape from their menace.

“But I would not be doing my duty if I did not say quite frankly that, much as we desire disarmament and hard as we will work for it, this must cover both the £iew weapons, the unconventional weapons as we call them, and conventional forces. “Any other course would leave Europe and the Free World at the tnrey of Soviet power. “Bu. do not let us despair. We shall work hard for comprehensive disarmament. “We are also anxious to try to find some effective way of limiting nuclear tests.” Suez Problems Discussing the short and longterm problems of the Suez Canal, he said:— “I cannot tell you what is the outcome of the conversations which first Mr Hammarskjold, on behalf of the United Nations, and now the American Government, on behalf of the user countries, are conducting with the Egyptians.

“We have, of course, been kept fully informed of the contents of these discussions as they proceed. “The great maritime nations are also in close consultation with each other, both through the Governments and through their organisations of shipowners. “In our view, no final or satisfactory solution of the long-term problem can be reached except upon the basis of the six principles unanimously approved by the Security Council. “Nor will any permanent confidence be created among the users of the canal unless the Egyptian Government accepts these principles. “It is only by the active cooperation of the principal users that the finance for the maintenance and development of the canal can be secured.

Fourth Soviet Test In 10 Days

(Rec. 9.20 p.m.) LONDON. April 13. The Soviet Union carried out a further nuclear test yesterday, the fourth in 10 days, the British Defence Ministry announced today.