Abstract

Conscience on Trial

Great Britain's nuclear weapon; stood in the dock in London, England's Old Bailey in mid-February, along with six members of the Committee of 100 who were on trial under the Official Secrets Act for their part in a sitdown-protest at Wethersfield Air Base on December 9, 1961. But the judge ruled the bombs were not on trial. The six were convicted, and an appeal has been entered. After six days of trial, the jury, which had been barred by the judge's ruling on law from hearing expert testimony about the use of nuclear weapons, debated four hours before convicting. A significant number of Labor members of Great Britain Parliament have been seeking a House of Commons debate in the aftermath of the trial. They are disturbed by the severity of the sentences.