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THIS D O C U M E N T IS T H E P R O P E R T Y O F H E R B R I T A N N I C MAJESTY'S G O V E R N M E N T
Printed
for the Cabinet.
June
1956
i
SECRET
C M .
Copy N o . '
(56)
40th Conclusions
CABINET
CONCLUSIONS
of a Meeting of the Cabinet held at 10 Downing
on Thursday,
7th June, 1956, at 11 a.m. Street,
S.W. 1, Present:
T h e R i g h t H o n . Sir A N T H O N Y E D E N , M . P . , P r i m e
T h e M o s t H o n . t h e M A R Q U E S S OF
SALISBURY, L o r d P r e s i d e n t of t h e
Council. T h e R i g h t H o n . H A R O L D MACMILLAN,
M . P . , C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r .
T h e Right
H o n . GVVILYM L L O Y D GEORGE, M . P . , S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for
the H o m e D e p a r t m e n t and Minister
for W e l s h Affairs.
T h e Right H o n . the EARL OF H O M E ,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for C o m m o n w e a l t h
Relations.
T h e R i g h t H o n . Sir W A L T E R M O N C K T O N ,
Q . C . , M . P . , M i n i s t e r of Defence.
T h e Right H o n . Peter Thorneycroft,
M . P . , P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d of T r a d e .
T h e R i g h t H o n . Sir D A V I D E C C L E S ,
M . P . , M i n i s t e r of E d u c a t i o n .
T h e R i g h t H o n . t h e E A R L OF S E L K I R K ,
C h a n c e l l o r of t h e D u c h y of L a n c a s t e r .
Minister.
T h e Right H o n . R. A. BUTLER,
M.P., L o r d Privy Seal. T h e Right H o n . the VISCOUNT KILMUIR,
Lord Chancellor.
T h e Right H o n . JAMES STUART, M . P . ,
Secretary of S t a t e for S c o t l a n d .
T h e Right H o n . A. T . LENNOX-BOYD,
M . P . , S e c r e t a r y of State for the
Colonies.
T h e Right H o n . DUNCAN SANDYS, M.P.,
Minister
of H o u s i n g
and Local
Government.
T h e Right H o n . D . HEATHCOAT A M O R Y ,
M.P.,
Minister
of
Agriculture,
Fisheries a n d F o o d .
The
Right
Hon.
IAIN M A C L E O D ,
M.P.,
M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r a n d N a t i o n a l
Service.
T h e R i g h t H o n . PATRICK B U C H A N H E P B U R N , M . P . , M i n i s t e r of W o r k s .
T h e following w e r e also p r e s e n t :
T h e R i g h t H o n . N I G E L BIRCH, M . P . ,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for Air (Item 6).
T h e Most H o n . the MARQUESS OF
READING, Q.C., M i n i s t e r of S t a t e for
F o r e i g n Affairs.
The
Right
Hon.
Sir
REGINALD
MANNINGHAM-BULLER,
Q.C.,
A t t o r n e y - G e n e r a l (Item
10).
M.P.,
T h e Right H o n . R. H. TURTON,
M.P.,
M i n i s t e r of H e a l t h (Items 8 and 9).
T h e Right H o n . ANTHONY NUTTING,
M . P . , M i n i s t e r of State for F o r e i g n
Affairs (Items
5-9).
T h e Right H o n . EDWARD HEATH, M.P.,
Parliamentary - Secretary,
Treasury
(Items
1-4).
-M7
el bi
s
CONTENTS
Minute
No.
1
Subject
Page
3
Soviet U n i o n
P r i m e M i n i s t e r s Visit.
2
Parliament
...
3
Parliament
...
3
...
...
...
...
...
...
3
...
...
...
...
... '
4
...
...
5
6
R e m u n e r a t i o n of M e m b e r s .
4
Economic Situation
...
M e e t i n g s with Representatives of E m p l o y e r s and Workers.
Agricultural W a g e s .
5
Disarmament
...
...
...
...
6
Jordan
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
... '
6
...
6
...
7
...
Air Force.
...
;
7
Egypt
8
Nuclear Radiations
...
...
...
9
Nuclear Weapons
...
...
...
Tests in 1957.
...
- ...
!
­
10
11
8
Education
... '
...
...
...
...
...
...
9
Capital Investment.
12
T r i n i d a d Oil C o m p a n y
13
14
Cyprus
A g r i c u l t u r a l Policy
...
9
. . . . . .
10
10
1. The Prime Minister recalled t h a t , before the Soviet l e a d e r s
left L o n d o n , t h e y h a d p r e s s e d h i m t o m a k e a r e t u r n visit to t h e
Soviet U n i o n . W i t h his c o l l e a g u e s ' c o n c u r r e n c e , h e h a d a c c e p t e d
t h a t i n v i t a t i o n w i t h o u t fixing a definite d a t e . H e h a d r e c e n t l y given
s o m e f u r t h e r t h o u g h t to t h e q u e s t i o n of timing, in c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h
the F o r e i g n S e c r e t a r y , a n d h a d o b t a i n e d t h e views of H . M .
A m b a s s a d o r at M o s c o w . T h e c h o i c e lay b e t w e e n t h e a u t u m n of
1956 a n d the s p r i n g of t h e following y e a r ; a n d it w a s felt t h a t t h e
b a l a n c e of a d v a n t a g e lay o n t h e side of m a k i n g the visit in A p r i l
o r M a y , 1957. H . M . A m b a s s a d o r h a d also a d v i s e d t h a t it w o u l d
b e c o n v e n i e n t if t h e d a t e c o u l d b e finally settled, a n d a n n o u n c e d ,
in t h e n e a r f u t u r e . Subject to t h e C a b i n e f s views h e p r o p o s e d t o
suggest t o t h e Soviet G o v e r n m e n t t h a t a definite d a t e for the visit
s h o u l d n o w b e fixed, for A p r i l o r M a y , 1957, a n d s h o u l d b e
a n n o u n c e d s i m u l t a n e o u s l y in b o t h c a p i t a l s .
Soviet U n i o n .
Prime
Ministers Visit.
(Previous
Reference:
C M . (56) 31st
Conclusions,
Minute7.)
The
Cabinet—
T o o k n o t e w i t h a p p r o v a l of the a r r a n g e m e n t s w h i c h t h e
P r i m e M i n i s t e r w a s p r o p o s i n g to m a k e to visit t h e Soviet
U n i o n in A p r i l o r M a y , 1957.
Parliament.
2. T h e C a b i n e t were i n f o r m e d of t h e business to be t a k e n in
t h e H o u s e of C o m m o n s in t h e following week.
Parliament.
Remuneration
3. The Lord Privy Seal said t h a t t h e L a b o u r P a r t y h a d n o w
decided t o m a k e a f o r m a l r e q u e s t for the a p p o i n t m e n t of a n
i n d e p e n d e n t c o m m i t t e e of e n q u i r y t o advise o n t h e p a y a n d
a l l o w a n c e s of M e m b e r s of P a r l i a m e n t . I n his view it w o u l d b e
i n e x p e d i e n t to reject this r e q u e s t a l t o g e t h e r : it w o u l d be wiser for
t h e G o v e r n m e n t t o t a k e the line t h a t they were unwilling to a p p o i n t
c o m m i t t e e d u r i n g the c u r r e n t session. T h e O p p o s i t i o n m i g h t
seek to h a v e t h e m a t t e r d e b a t e d : t h e y h a d s o m e r e a s o n to h o p e t h a t
a m o t i o n could b e f r a m e d w h i c h s o m e C o n s e r v a t i v e M e m b e r s m i g h t
b e disposed t o s u p p o r t . T h i s , h o w e v e r , was n o t a m a t t e r w h i c h
c o u l d be left to a free vote of t h e H o u s e : if it c a m e to a d e b a t e , the
G o v e r n m e n t w h i p s h o u l d c e r t a i n l y b e used.
of Members.
(Previous
Reference:
C M . (56) 37th
Conclusions,
Minute 2 . ) '
s
u
c
n
a
D i s c u s s i o n s h o w e d t h a t o p i n i o n in the C a b i n e t w a s divided
o n t h e e x p e d i e n c y of h o l d i n g s u c h a n e n q u i r y . A r g u m e n t s in f a v o u r
of this w e r e t h a t it w o u l d gain s o m e t i m e ; t h a t it w o u l d p r o v i d e
s o m e useful i n d e p e n d e n t s u p p o r t for a n i n c r e a s e i n M e m b e r s '
r e m u n e r a t i o n ; a n d t h a t t h e final d e c i s i o n o n the a m o u n t of the
i n c r e a s e to be g r a n t e d w o u l d still rest with t h e G o v e r n m e n t a n d
P a r l i a m e n t . If a c o m m i t t e e of e n q u i r y w e r e a p p o i n t e d , it w a s
i m p o r t a n t t h a t it s h o u l d consist m a i n l y of f o r m e r M e m b e r s of
P a r l i a m e n t w h o s e j u d g m e n t w o u l d rest on p e r s o n a l a n d p r a c t i c a l
e x p e r i e n c e of t h e duties a n d p r o b l e m s of M e m b e r s . T h e suggestion
w a s also m a d e t h a t , if such a n e n q u i r y w e r e held, it m i g h t also c o v e r
t h e p o s i t i o n of P e e r s . O n t h e o t h e r side, t h e view w a s strongly
e x p r e s s e d t h a t this w a s a m a t t e r w h i c h P a r l i a m e n t itself s h o u l d
d e c i d e , a n d t h a t it w o u l d n o t a c c o r d w i t h the dignity or t h e t r a d i t i o n s
of t h e H o u s e t h a t a n o u t s i d e c o m m i t t e e s h o u l d b e a s k e d t o advise
o n it. T h e m a j o r i t y of G o v e r n m e n t s u p p o r t e r s in the H o u s e m i g h t
b e e x p e c t e d to t a k e this view. I t w a s also a r g u e d t h a t it w o u l d be
d a n g e r o u s to r e m i t this q u e s t i o n to a n o u t s i d e b o d y , w h i c h m i g h t
well r e c o m m e n d levels of r e m u n e r a t i o n m u c h h i g h e r t h a n t h o s e w h i c h
t h e G o v e r n m e n t w o u l d think justified.
T h e C a b i n e t w e r e , h o w e v e r , fully a g r e e d t h a t n o a c t i o n s h o u l d
b e t a k e n d u r i n g t h e c u r r e n t session to i n c r e a s e the r e m u n e r a t i o n of
M e m b e r s . I n the c o m i n g session it m i g h t b e possible to p r o c e e d w i t h
t h e c o m p r e h e n s i v e p r o j e c t for i m p r o v i n g t h e r e m u n e r a t i o n of
M e m b e r s , i n c r e a s i n g the salaries of j u n i o r M i n i s t e r s a n d i n t r o d u c i n g
a s y s t e m of e x p e n s e a l l o w a n c e s for P e e r s .
I t m i g h t also be
p r a c t i c a b l e to pass in t h a t session legislation i n c r e a s i n g t h e salaries
a t t a c h i n g to m i n o r judicial offices ( C o u n t y C o u r t J u d g e s , & c ) .
M e a n w h i l e , t h e best line for t h e G o v e r n m e n t to t a k e w o u l d b e to
e x p r e s s s y m p a t h y w i t h these objects, to a d m i t t h a t o n m e r i t s the
c a s e for s o m e i m p r o v e m e n t w a s s t r o n g , b u t to a r g u e t h a t in view of
t h e e c o n o m i c s i t u a t i o n this w a s n o t a s u i t a b l e m o m e n t a t w h i c h to
t a k e a c t i o n . T o a d o p t a n y o t h e r c o u r s e at t h e p r e s e n t t i m e w o u l d
b e i n c o n s i s t e n t w i t h the G o v e r n m e n t s g e n e r a l policy of s e e k i n g to
s e c u r e a p e r i o d of stability in w a g e s a n d prices.
The Cabinet—
I n v i t e d t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r t o c o n s i d e r , in t h e light of their
discussion a n d in c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h t h e L o r d P r i v y Seal a n d
t h e Chief W h i p , t h e t e r m s of the r e p l y w h i c h s h o u l d be
r e t u r n e d t o t h e r e q u e s t of t h e L a b o u r O p p o s i t i o n for t h e
h o l d i n g of a n i n d e p e n d e n t e n q u i r y i n t o t h e r e m u n e r a t i o n of
M e m b e r s of P a r l i a m e n t .
Economic
Situation.
(Previous
Reference:
C M . (56) 36th
Conclusions,
M i n u t e 1.)
4. The Prime Minister
said t h a t , following t h e m e e t i n g w h i c h
M i n i s t e r s h a d h e l d o n 10th M a y w i t h r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h e T r a d e s
U n i o n C o n g r e s s , f u r t h e r meetings w e r e d u e to b e h e l d w i t h
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of e m p l o y e r s a n d of t h e n a t i o n a l i s e d i n d u s t r i e s . H e
d o u b t e d w h e t h e r it w o u l d be possible to h o l d b o t h of t h e s e m e e t i n g s
b e f o r e t h e M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r w e n t t o G e n e v a o n 15th J u n e , a n d
h e w o u l d w e l c o m e the advice of his colleagues o n t h e o r d e r in w h i c h
t h e t w o m e e t i n g s s h o u l d b e ;aken.
M e e t i n g s with
Representatives
of E m p l o y e r s
a n d Workers,
I n discussion it w a s agreed t h a t the p r o j e c t e d m e e t i n g w i t h
e m p l o y e r s ' r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s w a s the m o r e u r g e n t ,
and
that
t h e m e e t i n g w i t h r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of the n a t i o n a l i s e d i n d u s t r i e s c o u l d
b e d e f e r r e d until after the M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r h a d r e t u r n e d from
G e n e v a . It w a s also a g r e e d t h a t these m e e t i n g s s h o u l d b e p r e s e n t e d
to p u b l i c o p i n i o n , n o t as a fresh initiative, b u t as t h e c o m p l e t i o n of
t h e series of m e e t i n g s o n w h i c h M i n i s t e r s h a d been e n g a g e d before
t h e W h i t s u n recess.
Agricultural
Wages.
D i s c u s s i o n t h e n t u r n e d to t h e p e n d i n g claim for a n i n c r e a s e in
a g r i c u l t u r a l w a g e s . I t w a s recognised t h a t t h e r e w a s a significant g a p
b e t w e e n agricultural, a n d i n d u s t r i a l w a g e s a n d t h a t , o n g r o u n d s of
c o m p a r a b i l i t y , t h e r e w a s a case for s o m e i n c r e a s e in t h e f o r m e r . O n
t h e o t h e r h a n d t h e r e w a s a real d a n g e r t h a t , if a g r i c u l t u r a l w a g e s
w e r e n o w i n c r e a s e d , this w o u l d p r o v o k e a fresh r o u n d of w a g e c l a i m s
b y i n d u s t r i a l w o r k e r s . It w a s i m p o r t a n t t h a t t h e A g r i c u l t u r a l W a g e s
B o a r d s h o u l d h a v e this c o n s i d e r a t i o n in m i n d . T h e M i n i s t e r s c o n ­
c e r n e d s h o u l d c o n s i d e r w h e t h e r a n y confidential a p p r o a c h c o u l d be
m a d e t o the B o a r d before the a p p l i c a t i o n c a m e before t h e m .
The Cabinet—
(1) T o o k n o t e t h a t the P r i m e M i n i s t e r w o u l d a r r a n g e for further
m e e t i n g s to be held w i t h r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of e m p l o y e r s a n d
of t h e n a t i o n a l i s e d i n d u s t r i e s o n t h e n e e d for a p e r i o d of
stability in w a g e s a n d prices.
(2) I n v i t e d t h e C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r t o c o n s i d e r , in
c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h t h e A g r i c u l t u r e M i n i s t e r s a n d the
M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r , w h e t h e r a n y steps c o u l d b e t a k e n to
5
. C M . 40 (56)
e n s u r e t h a t , in t h e c o n s i d e r a t i o n of t h e f o r t h c o m i n g
a p p l i c a t i o n for a n i n c r e a s e in a g r i c u l t u r a l w a g e s , full
a c c o u n t w o u l d b e t a k e n of t h e n e e d s of t h e n a t i o n a l
economy.
Disarmament.
(Previous
Reference :
C M . (56) 37th
Conclusions,
M i n u t e 5.)
5. T h e C a b i n e t c o n s i d e r e d a m e m o r a n d u m b y t h e F o r e i g n
S e c r e t a r y ( C P . (56) 137) s e e k i n g a p p r o v a l for a n e w d i s a r m a m e n t
p l a n a n d a u t h o r i t y to discuss it w i t h the G o v e r n m e n t s of t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s , C a n a d a a n d F r a n c e in a d v a n c e of t h e f o r t h c o m i n g m e e t i n g
of t h e D i s a r m a m e n t C o m m i s s i o n .
T h e C a b i n e t w e r e in general a g r e e m e n t w i t h t h e d r a f t
d i s a r m a m e n t p l a n , w h i c h w a s b a s e d on t h e p r o p o s a l s in C P . (56) 117
which the Cabinet had previously approved.
T h e following p o i n t s w e r e m a d e in d i s c u s s i o n : —
l
- (a) The Minister
of Defence
d r e w a t t e n t i o n to t h e risk t h a t , if
this p l a n w e r e a c c e p t e d , w e m i g h t b e r e q u i r e d t o cease t h e
m a n u f a c t u r e of n u c l e a r w e a p o n s before w e h a d built u p a n a d e q u a t e
s t o c k of t h e m . E v e n o n t h e basis of o u r p r e s e n t p r o g r a m m e , w e
s h o u l d n o t h a v e a sufficient s t o c k of these w e a p o n s until 1970.
M o r e o v e r , the e x t e n t to w h i c h w e w e r e to c o n v e r t o u r tactical
e q u i p m e n t to n u c l e a r w e a p o n s h a d yet to b e d e c i d e d . T h e p o s i t i o n
w o u l d i m p r o v e if t h e p r o p o s a l s for a n e w diffusion p l a n t , n o w u n d e r
c o n s i d e r a t i o n , c a m e to fruition. T h e F o r e i g n S e c r e t a r y h a d , h o w e v e r ,
a c c e p t e d his p r o p o s a l t h a t p a r a g r a p h 11 of t h e draft p l a n s h o u l d b e
a m e n d e d to e n s u r e t h a t n u c l e a r d i s a r m a m e n t w o u l d n o t follow
a u t o m a t i c a l l y o n the c o m p l e t i o n of t h e r e m a i n d e r of t h e p l a n b u t
w o u l d b e c o n s i d e r e d in r e l a t i o n to the prevailing i n t e r n a t i o n a l
s i t u a t i o n . H e w a s p r e p a r e d to rest o n this s a f e g u a r d .
(b) T h e view w a s e x p r e s s e d t h a t the d a n g e r w h i c h t h e M i n i s t e r
of D e f e n c e h a d foreseen m i g h t m a k e it n e c e s s a r y for us at s o m e l a t e r
d a t e to o p p o s e t h e c o m p l e t i o n of the p l a n in r e g a r d t o n u c l e a r
d i s a r m a m e n t if t h e r e m a i n d e r of t h e p l a n h a d b e e n p u t i n t o effective
o p e r a t i o n before w e h a d a c c u m u l a t e d a sufficient s t o c k of n u c l e a r
weapons.
T h i s m i g h t e x p o s e us to t h e c h a r g e of h a v i n g b e e n
d i s i n g e n u o u s in s p o n s o r i n g t h e p l a n . It w a s p o i n t e d o u t , h o w e v e r ,
t h a t the r e s e r v a t i o n w e h a d e n t e r e d in p a r a g r a p h 11 of t h e draft w a s
i n t e n d e d to give us a n o p p o r t u n i t y , w h e n t h e t i m e c a m e , to c o n s i d e r
o u r p o s i t i o n in t h e light of t h e s t o c k s w e h a d a c c u m u l a t e d a n d o u r
n e e d for these w e a p o n s a t t h a t time. T h i s s a f e g u a r d n e e d n o t
t h e r e f o r e involve us in e m b a r r a s s m e n t .
(c) T h e p r o p o s e d I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n t r o l O r g a n i s a t i o n , for w h i c h
t h e draft plan p r o v i d e d , w a s k n o w n to be u n a c c e p t a b l e t o t h e Soviet
l e a d e r s , w h o disliked the p r o p o s a l in p r i n c i p l e a n d felt t h a t it c o u l d
n o t b e m a d e effective in s u c h large c o u n t r i e s as t h e U n i t e d States a n d
t h e Soviet U n i o n . N e v e r t h e l e s s , the C a b i n e t a g r e e d t h a t effective
m a c h i n e r y for inspection a n d c o n t r o l w a s o n e of t h e essential
s a f e g u a r d s o n w h i c h w e m u s t c o n t i n u e t o insist.
(d) T h e U n i t e d States G o v e r n m e n t w e r e a n x i o u s t h a t s o m e
p r o v i s i o n s h o u l d b e m a d e for restriction of t h e s u p p l y of n u c l e a r
m a t e r i a l , so as t o d e n y t o t h e smaller c o u n t r i e s the o p p o r t u n i t y of
m a n u f a c t u r i n g n u c l e a r w e a p o n s . W e s h o u l d find it difficult to a c c e p t
s u c h a r e s t r i c t i o n , before w e h a d built u p o u r o w n s t o c k of n u c l e a r
w e a p o n s , unless the U n i t e d S t a t e s w o u l d u n d e r t a k e t o m e e t o u r
needs.
The
Cabinet—
Approved the draft
disarmament
plan annexed
C P . (56) 137, a n d a u t h o r i s e d t h e M i n i s t e r of S t a t e
F o r e i g n Affairs ( M r . N u t t i n g ) to seek t h e . s u p p o r t of
. G o v e r n m e n t s of the U n i t e d S t a t e s , C a n a d a a n d F r a n c e
a F o u r - P o w e r initiative in the D i s a r m a m e n t C o m m i s s i o n
these lines.
to
for
the
for
on
1
6. T h e C a b i n e t c o n s i d e r e d a m e m o r a n d u m b y t h e F o r e i g n
(Previous
S e c r e t a r y a n d t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for A i r ( C P . (56) 136) o n a
Reference:
r e q u e s t for t h e s u p p l y of British s w e p t - w i n g aircraft t o t h e R o y a l
C M . (56) 32nd J o r d a n i a n A i r F o r c e ( R . J . A . F . ) .
Jordan.
3
MinutelT '
'
Air Force.
m
u
e
m
'-
T
h
e
M
i
n
i
s
t
e
r
Q
S
t
a
t
e
or
f
f
Foreign Affairs ( M r . N u t t i n g ) said t h a t
n e i t h e r H u n t e r n o r G n a t aircraft c o u l d be s u p p l i e d , n o r c o u l d t h e i r
pilots b e t r a i n e d , as q u i c k l y as K i n g H u s s e i n w i s h e d . M o r e o v e r , it
w a s n o t clear h o w t h e r e - e q u i p m e n t p r o g r a m m e , w h i c h w o u l d cost
£2\ millions if c a r r i e d o u t w i t h H u n t e r s a n d £ 1 ^ millions if c a r r i e d
\ o u t w i t h G n a t s , w a s t o b e financed. N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e i n t e n t i o n to
b r i n g t h e R . J . A . F . u p t o d a t e w a s in itself a s o u n d a i m a n d t h e r e w a s
a risk t h a t K i n g H u s s e i n w o u l d b e inclined to t u r n t o t h e Soviet
U n i o n for aircraft if h e h a d c a u s e to feel t h a t t h e r e w o u l d b e u n d u e
d e l a y in o b t a i n i n g British e q u i p m e n t . T h e p r e s e n t p r o p o s a l w a s
t h e r e f o r e d e s i g n e d t o g a i n t i m e by p u t t i n g f o r w a r d a n a l t e r n a t i v e p l a n
for t h e r e - e q u i p m e n t of the R . J . A . F . a n d inviting t h e J o r d a n
G o v e r n m e n t t o i n d i c a t e h o w t h e p r o g r a m m e w o u l d b e financed.
Discussion showed that
p r o p o s a l . It w a s s u g g e s t e d
re-equipping the R.J.A.F.,
r e v i e w t h e relative s t r a t e g i c
l a n d a n d air forces.
The
the C a b i n e t w e r e in a g r e e m e n t w i t h this
t h a t , in v i e w of the p r o s p e c t i v e cost of
K i n g H u s s e i n m i g h t b e e n c o u r a g e d to
i m p o r t a n c e , in p r e s e n t c o n d i t i o n s , of his
Cabinet—
A p p r o v e d the proposal put forward
C P . (56) 136.
Egypt.
(Previous
Reference:
C M . (56) 37th
Conclusions,
M i n u t e 8.)
in p a r a g r a p h
9 of
7. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs ( M r . N u t t i n g ) said
t h a t t h e E g y p t i a n G o v e r n m e n t h a d d e c i d e d to h o l d o n 19th J u n e
c e r e m o n i e s c e l e b r a t i n g t h e t e r m i n a l d a t e of t h e A n g l o - E g y p t i a n
A g r e e m e n t in p u r s u a n c e of w h i c h British t r o o p s h a d b e e n w i t h d r a w n
f r o m t h e C a n a l Z o n e . T h e y h a d f u r t h e r decided t h a t this d a y s h o u l d
b e c e l e b r a t e d a n n u a l l y as E g y p f s N a t i o n a l D a y . All t h e H e a d s of
d i p l o m a t i c M i s s i o n s in C a i r o w o u l d b e invited to a t t e n d t h e c e r e m o n y
o n 19th J u n e , a n d it w o u l d be i n e x p e d i e n t for H . M . A m b a s s a d o r to
a b s e n t himself f r o m it. I t was t h e r e f o r e p r o p o s e d t h a t h e s h o u l d
a t t e n d , t h o u g h h e h a d w a r n e d the E g y p t i a n a u t h o r i t i e s t h a t H e r
M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t w o u l d t a k e it amiss if it w e r e m a d e the
o c c a s i o n for a n y d e m o n s t r a t i o n of anti-British s e n t i m e n t s .
T h e G o v e r n m e n t s of I r a q a n d J o r d a n h a d d e c i d e d n o t t o send
special d e l e g a t i o n s t o C a i r o for these c e l e b r a t i o n s .
The
Cabinet—
T o o k n o t e of this s t a t e m e n t by t h e M i n i s t e r of State for
F o r e i g n Affairs.
Nuclear
Radiations.
(Previous
Reference:
C M . (56) 39th
Conclusions,
M i n u t e 3.)
\
8. T h e C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m a m e m o r a n d u m b y t h e L o r d
P r e s i d e n t ( C P . (56) 132) c o v e r i n g t h e r e p o r t of a C o m m i t t e e of the
M e d i c a l R e s e a r c h C o u n c i l w h i c h h a d assessed t h e h a z a r d s t o m a n of
n u c l e a r a n d allied r a d i a t i o n s .
The Lord President
recalled t h a t this C o m m i t t e e h a d been
a p p o i n t e d b e c a u s e of t h e w i d e s p r e a d p u b l i c a n x i e t y a b o u t t h e
g e n e t i c effects of test e x p l o s i o n s of n u c l e a r w e a p o n s . T h a t p a r t i c u l a r
a n x i e t y w o u l d be allayed by t h e C o m m i t t e e ' s findings. T w o o t h e r
p r o b l e m s e m e r g e d , h o w e v e r , f r o m t h e r e p o r t . F i r s t , it disclosed a
n e w risk from t h e r m o - n u c l e a r e x p l o s i o n s , viz., the a b s o r p t i o n ,
t h r o u g h f o o d , of r a d i o - a c t i v e s t r o n t i u m w h i c h a c c u m u l a t e d in h u m a n
b o n e s a n d w o u l d , if test e x p l o s i o n s c o n t i n u e d indefinitely, e v e n t u a l l y
i n c r e a s e h u m a n liability to c a n c e r a n d o t h e r diseases of the b o n e .
T h i s p o i n t h a d b e e n fully e x p l a i n e d to the C a b i n e t at t h e i r m e e t i n g
o n 5 t h J u n e , a n d it h a d t h e n b e e n a c c e p t e d t h a t t h e r e w e r e n o
c
i
9 r- 9
*l *J w
7
, C M . 4 0 (56)
sufficient
g r o u n d s for
immediate
anxiety
on
this
account.
N e v e r t h e l e s s , it w a s t o be e x p e c t e d t h a t this p a r t of t h e r e p o r t w o u l d
p r o v o k e m u c h discussion a n d s o m e p u b l i c a l a r m . S e c o n d l y , t h e
r e p o r t s h o w e d t h a t a m o r e significant a n d i m m e d i a t e risk a r o s e f r o m
t h e extensive u s e of r a d i o l o g y in m e d i c i n e a n d d e n t i s t r y . T h i s also
w o u l d a r o u s e p u b l i c a n x i e t y , a n d t h e p r o b l e m w a s o n e w h i c h clearly
needed further examination.
T h i s w a s a h i g h l y technical r e p o r t , a n d c a r e w o u l d b e n e e d e d
in p r e s e n t i n g it to the public. It w o u l d be laid b e f o r e P a r l i a m e n t
o n 12th J u n e , a n d a s h o r t s t a t e m e n t a b o u t it w o u l d b e m a d e in b o t h
H o u s e s o n t h a t d a y . T h e general line of this s t a t e m e n t w o u l d be
t h a t the r e p o r t w o u l d r e q u i r e m u c h s t u d y b y all c o n c e r n e d a n d that,
t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t it c o n c e r n e d G o v e r n m e n t D e p a r t m e n t s , t h e
necessary consideration would proceed without delay. T h e report
w o u l d be e x p l a i n e d to r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h e Press a t c o n f e r e n c e s with
L o b b y c o r r e s p o n d e n t s a n d scientific c o r r e s p o n d e n t s .
T h e L o r d P r e s i d e n t said t h a t a c o r r e s p o n d i n g e n q u i r y h a d been
c o n d u c t e d in the U n i t e d States a n d , b y a r r a n g e m e n t , its r e p o r t w o u l d
also b e p u b l i s h e d o n 12th J u n e . Its findings w e r e o n m u c h t h e s a m e
lines as t h o s e of t h e M e d i c a l R e s e a r c h C o u n c i l . . I t r a i s e d , h o w e v e r ,
o n e f u r t h e r m a t t e r , viz., t h e disposal of r a d i o - a c t i v e w a s t e ; a n d
p r o p o s e d t h a t a n i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o n f e r e n c e s h o u l d b e c o n v e n e d to
c o n s i d e r the p r o b l e m s arising f r o m the d i s p o s a l of this w a s t e in the
sea.
I n discussion t h e following p o i n t s w e r e r a i s e d : —
(a) The Minister of Health said that s o m e p u b l i c c o m m e n t m u s t
b e e x p e c t e d o n t h e d e g r e e of o c c u p a t i o n a l risk t o w h i c h w o r k e r s in
a t o m i c e n e r g y e s t a b l i s h m e n t s were e x p o s e d .
The Lord President said t h a t s t e p s w e r e a l r e a d y being t a k e n to
r e d u c e this risk by v a r y i n g t h e duties of w o r k e r s in these
e s t a b l i s h m e n t s . A public s t a t e m e n t could, if n e c e s s a r y , be m a d e
a b o u t the p r e c a u t i o n s w h i c h were being t a k e n .
(b) The Minister of Health said t h a t t h e title of t h e r e p o r t , with
its reference to " t h e h a z a r d s to m a n , " w a s itself likely to cause u n d u e
p u b l i c a l a r m . H e h o p e d t h a t the w o r d i n g of this title w o u l d n o t be
u n n e c e s s a r i l y stressed in a n y p u b l i c a n n o u n c e m e n t s .
The
Cabinet—
(1) T o o k n o t e of the r e p o r t b y a C o m m i t t e e of t h e M e d i c a l
R e s e a r c h C o u n c i l o n t h e h a z a r d s to m a n of n u c l e a r a n d
allied r a d i a t i o n s .
(2) T o o k n o t e of t h e a r r a n g e m e n t s w h i c h t h e L o r d P r e s i d e n t
h a d m a d e for t h e p u b l i c a t i o n of this r e p o r t .
(3) Invited t h e L o r d P r e s i d e n t to a r r a n g e for the D e p a r t m e n t s
concerned
to
proceed
without
delay
with
their
c o n s i d e r a t i o n of t h e v a r i o u s issues raised b y t h e r e p o r t .
9. The Prime Minister
invited the C a b i n e t to c o n s i d e r the
revised draft of a s t a t e m e n t w h i c h h e w a s p r o p o s i n g to m a k e in t h e
H o u s e of C o m m o n s , later in the d a y , a b o u t t h e tests of n u c l e a r
w e a p o n s w h i c h w e r e to be held in t h e Pacific in t h e s p r i n g of 1957.
T h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r said t h a t t h e U n i t e d States G o v e r n m e n t h a d
C M . (56) 39th s h o w n c o n t i n u i n g c o n c e r n a b o u t the c o n s e q u e n c e s of a fresh initiative
Conclusions,
i n t e r n a t i o n a l discussion of the m e a n s of limiting test e x p l o s i o n s
M i n u t e 3.) '
n u c l e a r w e a p o n s . T h e y feared t h a t , if t h e a n n o u n c e m e n t w e r e
m a d e in the f o r m originally p r o p o s e d , this might b e c o m e a n issue in
t h e f o r t h c o m i n g P r e s i d e n t i a l E l e c t i o n . H e still t h o u g h t it necessary
t o i n d i c a t e t h e G o v e r n m e n f s readiness to discuss m e t h o d s of limiting
- test e x p l o s i o n s ; b u t , in view of these r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s , h e h a d d e c i d e d
t o confine himself in this a n n o u n c e m e n t t o a r e p e t i t i o n of his earlier
offer t o join in s u c h discussions. H e t h e r e f o r e p r o p o s e d to recall t h a t ,
Nuclear
Weapons.
T e s t s in 1957.
(Previous
Reference:
I
o
0 1
r
in a s t a t e m e n t in t h e H o u s e of C o m m o n s o n 6th D e c e m b e r , 1955, h e
h a d m a d e it clear t h a t t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m G o v e r n m e n t were
p r e p a r e d to discuss m e t h o d s of regulating a n d limiting t e s t s ; t o say
t h a t this r e m a i n e d the policy of t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m G o v e r n m e n t ;
a n d to assure the H o u s e t h a t the G o v e r n m e n t w o u l d seek every
o p p o r t u n i t y to p u t it i n t o effect.
Discussion s h o w e d t h a t t h e C a b i n e t w e r e in full a g r e e m e n t with
the line w h i c h t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r p r o p o s e d to t a k e o n this p o i n t .
The Cabinet—
A p p r o v e d the revised draft of t h e a n n o u n c e m e n t w h i c h the
P r i m e M i n i s t e r p r o p o s e d t o m a k e in the H o u s e of C o m m o n s
later t h a t d a y a b o u t the tests of n u c l e a r w e a p o n s w h i c h w e r e
to b e held in t h e Pacific in the spring of 1957.
Education.
Capital
Investment.
(Previous
References:
C.C. (54) 80th
Conclusions,
M i n u t e 4 , and
C M . ( 5 6 ) 14th
Conclusions.)
11. T h e C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m m e m o r a n d a b y the
C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r ( C P . (56) 135) a n d the M i n i s t e r of
E d u c a t i o n ( C P . (56) 134) o n t h e e x t e n t to w h i c h t h e s c h o o l b u i l d i n g
p r o g r a m m e s h o u l d be r e t a r d e d b e c a u s e of the g e n e r a l e c o n o m i c
situation.
The Minister
of Education
said t h a t the p r o b l e m h a d arisen
b e c a u s e , since t h e C a b i n e t h a d a p p r o v e d t h e p r o p o s a l s p u t f o r w a r d
in F e b r u a r y in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e e c o n o m i c s i t u a t i o n , it h a d
e m e r g e d t h a t £32 millions i n s t e a d of £20 millions of b u i l d i n g w o r k
w h i c h w a s d u e t o h a v e b e e n s t a r t e d in t h e p r e v i o u s y e a r h a d been
b r o u g h t f o r w a r d for c o m m e n c e m e n t in t h e c u r r e n t y e a r . T h i s w a s
a n e w f a c t o r w h i c h c o u l d n o t h a v e b e e n foreseen. T h e p r o p o s a l s
in C P . (56) 135 w o u l d i n v o l v e a m u c h m o r e serious r e t a r d a t i o n of
t h e p r o g r a m m e t h a n h a d b e e n c o n t e m p l a t e d in F e b r u a r y , a n d w o u l d
m e a n the loss of 200,000 instead of 100,000 school places in 1958
w h e n the n u m b e r s in s e c o n d a r y schools w o u l d i n c r e a s e m o s t s h a r p l y .
It w o u l d b e difficult to p r e s e n t such a further e c o n o m y m e r e l y as a
d e l a y in t h e b u i l d i n g p r o g r a m m e a n d n o t as a c u t in it. M o r e o v e r ,
s u c h a decision w o u l d be s e e n " to b e i n c o n s i s t e n t w i t h t h e
G o v e r n m e n f s p r o g r a m m e for technical e d u c a t i o n w h i c h d e p e n d e d
o n t h e p r o p e r d e v e l o p m e n t of s e c o n d a r y e d u c a t i o n a n d the
G o v e r n m e n t w o u l d b e e x p o s e d to criticism o n t h a t s c o r e .
The Prime Minister
said t h a t , in his view, cuts in e x p e n d i t u r e
w h i c h w e r e m a d e n e c e s s a r y b y the e c o n o m i c s i t u a t i o n s h o u l d fall o n
e d u c a t i o n o n l y i n the last r e s o r t w h e n it w a s clear t h a t o t h e r m e a n s
of s a v i n g w o u l d n o t yield e n o u g h . T h e p u b l i c w o u l d b e p r e p a r e d
to a c c e p t t h e n e e d for t h e m e a s u r e s d e m a n d e d by t h e e c o n o m i c
s i t u a t i o n if they w e r e satisfied t h a t e c o n o m y was n o t b e i n g p u r s u e d
at t h e e x p e n s e of their c h i l d r e n ^ e d u c a t i o n .
The Chancellor
of the Exchequer
said t h a t t h e a v e r a g e r a t e of
n e w s c h o o l b u i l d i n g in t h e p r e v i o u s y e a r h a d b e e n £ 4 - 6 millions a
m o n t h . H e h a d b e e n r e l u c t a n t , in view of the e c o n o m i c s i t u a t i o n ,
t o a c c e p t t h e n e e d w h i c h t h e Minister of E d u c a t i o n ^ p r o p o s a l s
c o n t e m p l a t e d for a n a c t u a l i n c r e a s e in this m o n t h l y r a t e in t h e .
c u r r e n t y e a r a n d t h e following year. H e a g r e e d , h o w e v e r , t h a t in
v i e w of t h e a r g u m e n t s w h i c h h a d b e e n p u t f o r w a r d t h e r e m u s t be
s o m e c o m p r o m i s e in t h e m a t t e r .
H e w a s p r e p a r e d t h e r e f o r e to
a c c e p t t h e figure of £55 m i l l i o n s as t h e total of n e w school, building
w h i c h s h o u l d b e s t a r t e d this y e a r a n d h e p r o p o s e d t h a t the
c o r r e s p o n d i n g figure for 1957-58 s h o u l d b e £25 millions in e a c h
half-year.
L o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s c o u l d be a u t h o r i s e d to p l a n o n this
basis a n d c o u l d b e i n f o r m e d t h a t the figure w o u l d be f u r t h e r increased
if t h e e c o n o m i c s i t u a t i o n justified it.
The
Cabinet—
A p p r o v e d the p r o p o s a l s w i t h r e g a r d to n e w s c h o o l building
w h i c h t h e C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r h a d p u t f o r w a r d
in their discussion.
Trinidad Oil
Company.
12. The Chancellor
of the Exchequer
said t h a t t h e T e x a s Oil
C o m p a n y of the U n i t e d States h a d offered t o b u y , for £ 6 3 millions,
t h e B r i t i s h s t o c k h o l d i n g in t h e T r i n i d a d Oil C o m p a n y .
Treasury
c o n s e n t w o u l d b e r e q u i r e d for this transfer of t h e o w n e r s h i p t o a
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o m p a n y . Before a final decision w a s t a k e n , h e w o u l d
wish t o seek the views of his colleagues in t h e C a b i n e t . M e a n w h i l e ,
h o w e v e r , h e w a s to b e a s k e d t h a t a f t e r n o o n in t h e H o u s e of
C o m m o n s , by P r i v a t e N o t i c e Q u e s t i o n , w h e t h e r he h a d a n y s t a t e m e n t
to m a k e . H e p r o p o s e d to s a y in r e p l y t h a t t h e m a t t e r w a s u n d e r
consideration.
T h e Cabinet—T o o k n o t e t h a t the C h a n c e l l o r of the E x c h e q u e r w o u l d
submit
for
the
Cabinefs
approval
his
considered
r e c o m m e n d a t i o n on the question whether consent should
b e given for t h e t r a n s f e r to t h e U n i t e d States of t h e British
s t o c k h o l d i n g in t h e T r i n i d a d Oil C o m p a n y . .
Cyprus.
(Previous
Reference:
C M . (56) 39th
Conclusions,
M i n u t e 1.)
13. The Prime Minister said t h a t , since t h e C a b i n e f s d i s c u s s i o n
o n 5th J u n e , i n d i c a t i o n s h a d b e e n received t h a t t h e r e w a s m u c h
p u b l i c m i s a p p r e h e n s i o n in C a n a d a a b o u t t h e basis of B r i t i s h p o l i c y
in C y p r u s . T h e C o m m o n w e a l t h S e c r e t a r y w a s a n x i o u s t o t a k e all
p r a c t i c a b l e steps t o c o r r e c t t h e s e m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g s .
Factual
m a t e r i a l w a s b e i n g s u p p l i e d to h i m b y t h e C o l o n i a l Office. It w o u l d
also be helpful if e x t r a c t s f r o m M i n i s t e r s ' s p e e c h e s o n C y p r u s c o u l d
b e f o r w a r d e d to t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h S e c r e t a r y for t r a n s m i s s i o n to
Canada.
The
Cabinet—
A g r e e d t h a t M i n i s t e r s w h o w e r e p r o p o s i n g to refer to
C y p r u s in their public s p e e c h e s s h o u l d , in a d d i t i o n t o p r i o r
c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h t h e C o l o n i a l S e c r e t a r y , s e n d e x t r a c t s to
the
Commonwealth
Secretary
for
transmission,
as
a p p r o p r i a t e , to C a n a d a a n d o t h e r C o m m o n w e a l t h c o u n t r i e s .
Agricultural
Policy.
(Previous
Reference:
C M . (56) 31st
Conclusions,
M i n u t e 5.)
14. The Minister
of Agriculture
said t h a t h e w a s t o a n s w e r ,
in t h e H o u s e of C o m m o n s t h a t a f t e r n o o n , several Q u e s t i o n s a b o u t
t h e a c t i o n t a k e n by his D e p a r t m e n t in dispossessing L a d y G a r b e t t
of h e r a g r i c u l t u r a l p r o p e r t y in Sussex. M o s t of t h e s e w e r e c o n c e r n e d
w i t h q u e s t i o n s of fact, b u t o n e r a i s e d t h e g e n e r a l q u e s t i o n of
legislation o n this subject. A s his colleagues w e r e a w a r e , h e w a s
h o l d i n g confidential c o n s u l t a t i o n s w i t h l e a d e r s of t h e f a r m i n g
i n d u s t r y , in p u r s u a n c e of the C a b i n e f s c o n c l u s i o n of 2 6 t h A p r i l , o n
t h e d i s c i p l i n a r y p o w e r s u n d e r the A g r i c u l t u r e A c t s a n d t h e p r o v i s i o n s
for s e c u r i t y of t e n u r e for t e n a n t f a r m e r s . I n his o p i n i o n , h o w e v e r ,
it w o u l d b e p r e m a t u r e to disclose t h e G o v e r n m e n f s p l a n s for d e a l i n g
w i t h this g e n e r a l p r o b l e m in r e p l y t o this p a r t i c u l a r Q u e s t i o n .
Subject t h e r e f o r e to t h e C a b i n e f s views h e p r o p o s e d to a v o i d m a k i n g
a n y p u b l i c reference at this stage to t h e g e n e r a l e n q u i r i e s w h i c h the
G o v e r n m e n t w e r e c o n d u c t i n g o n this subject, a n d to confine himself
t o p o i n t i n g o u t t h e difficulties of u n d e r t a k i n g legislation o n this
q u e s t i o n at t h e p r e s e n t t i m e .
The
Cabinet—
A g r e e d t h a t the M i n i s t e r of A g r i c u l t u r e s h o u l d , if possible,
defer for t h e t i m e b e i n g a n y g e n e r a l s t a t e m e n t of t h e
G o v e r n m e n f s i n t e n t i o n s in r e s p e c t of the disciplinary
p o w e r s u n d e r t h e A g r i c u l t u r e A c t s a n d t h e p r o v i s i o n s for
s e c u r i t y of t e n u r e for t e n a n t f a r m e r s .
Cabinet Office,
7th June,
S.W.1,
1956.