N.A.T.O. BOMBERS FOR BRITAIN

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28920, 13 June 1959, Page 13

N.A.T.O. BOMBERS FOR BRITAIN

Gaitskell Repudiates Labour Protest (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, June 12. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Hugh Gaitskell, last night repudiated a motion tabled in the House of Commons by 80 backbench Labour M.P.’s opposing any transfer of American nuclear bomber aircraft from France to Britain.

Political quarters reported that he won over a meeting of Labour M.P.’s to the view of the party leaders that Britain, as a member of N.A.T.0., could not refuse to accept these aircraft if it were considered militarily necessary.

The motion in question, already on the House of Commons order paper, says that the House, noting the French Government’s refusal to permit nuclear warheads in American custody to be stockpiled in France, “is equally opposed to their being stockpiled in this country.” Mr Gaitskell is understood to have said that Britain already has an agreement with the Americans which enables the Americans to have aircraft in Britain with nuclear weapons, subject to the condition that they may not be used without British Government consent.

Political correspondents say that Mr Gaitskell and the “shadow” Foreign Secretary, Mr Bevan, may have to make an “agonising reappraisal” of Labour policy Over the bomb. Influential unions and a section- of the Labour Party are calling for a unilateral ban on the bomb by Britain. It is recalled that at last year’s party conference, Mr Gaitskell approved the idea of a treaty by all nuclear Powers renouncing the manufacture of nuclear weapons. This is now being put forward as a “solution” for the Labour Party, together with the suggestion that the next immediate move within the party is the discussion of the whole question by its national executive and the Trades Union Congress.

BRUNDAGE TO RETIRE?

LO.C Controversy

Over China

NEW YORK, June 11.

Mr Avery Brundage of Chicago, millionaire president of the International Olympic Committee, said today he might quit the job after the group’s dispute over Nationalist China was settled, United Press International reported from Lausanne, Switzerland.

“Besides, I sometimes feel I could do much for 'the Olympic movement by retiring from the presidency and writing some books on Olympic philosophy.” Mr Brundage’s eight-year term as 1.0. C. president will expire next year. Mr Otto Mayer, of Switzerland, the 1.0. C. chancellor, said the group wants Mr Brundage to keep the post, often a centre of controversy. Mr Brundage’s hint that he might quit came after two weeks marked a world-wide uproar over the 1.0. C. decision to withdraw recognition from the Nationalist Chinese Olympic Committee. The LO.C. objected to the Nationalist committee’s use of the word “China” since it does not represent sports on the Chinese mainland. United Press International reported from Taipeh that Nationalist China would make a new attempt to regain admission to the 1.0. C. The Nationalists were determined to win the dispute over what their team should be named, the agency said-