UNCLASSIFIED
U.K, STATEMENT ON THERMONUCLEAR TESTING
"In the statement on defense 1955, Her Majesty's
Government announced their intention to manufacture thermonuclear
weapons. AS I have previously stated, the holding of tests is an
essential part of the process of providing ourselves with such
weapons, The United States and the U.S.S.R, have already held such
tests and Her Majesty's Government have decided to carry out a
limited number of nuclear test explosions in the megaton range.
These will take place during the first half of 1957 in a remote
part of the Pacific Ocean.
The explosions will take place far
from any inhabited islands and the tests will be so arranged as
to avoid danger to persons or property. The tests will be high
air bursts which will not involve heavy fall-out. All safety
precautions will be taken in the light of our own knowledge and
of experience gained from the tests of other countries,
The main
base of the aircraft of the Royal Air Force taking part will be
Christmas Island, and meteorological facilities will be installed
there, The Governments of Australia and New Zealand have agreed
to make available to the task force various forms of aid and
ancillary support from Australian and New Zealand territcry,
"In reaching this decision Her Majesty's Government have
given full weight to anxieties which exist in regard to indefinite
continuance of tests of nuclear weapons without controls and
without limitations,
I emphasized on December 6 of last year in
the House of Commons that Her Majesty's Government were prepared
to discuss methods of regulation and limitation of test explosions
which take account of their position and that of other powers,
This remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government, and I can
assure the House we shall seek every opportunity to put it into
effect,