No Further Statement On Russia And Bomb

Northern Advocate, 28 September 1949, Page 5

No Further Statement On Russia And Bomb

LONDON, Tue. (11.30 a.m.).—Mr Churchill, as soon as the House of Commons reassembled this afternoon, asked amid loud Opposition cheers, whether the Prime Minister would make a statement on the development of the atom bomb by Russia. Mr Attlee replied that he did not think that it would be in the public interest to make any further statement beyond that made on Friday.

Replying to Captain Raymond Blackburn (Labour') he said that the Government had made its policy perfectly clear. It believed that there should be international control of atomic energy. Mr Churchill asked" whether the Prime Minister would agree to the question being discussed when Parliament reassembled next. Mr Attlee said that it it was Ihmiglu useful, he would certainly consider it. Mr W. GailacUer (.Communist}, ask-

ed whether, as there was no real defence against the atom bomb, Mr Attlee would support the Russian proposal fq*' the destruction of all atomic weapons. Mr Attlee said that if Russia would agree to international inspection, great progress would be made. Mr Altlee, told Mr Einrys Hughes (Labour) that lie had been advised that the atomic weapon did not necessarily mean that all other weapons were obsolete.