HC Deb 15 May 1996 vol 277 cc949-50
25. Mr. Dalyell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on trade between the United Kingdom and Belarus and Kazakhstan in nuclear—related materials. [28384]

Mr. Oppenheim

All such goods of proliferation concern are controlled and require an export licence. In the past two years, the Department of Trade and Industry has issued only two licences for such goods to those destinations—for items to be used in oilfield exploration in Kazakhstan. In the same period, there have been no applications for import licences for nuclear-related goods that require such a licence.

Mr. Dalyell

On 1 May, during the debate on the draft order, I asked Foreign Office Ministers about any help that we could give in the matter of the crumbling sarcophaguses—particularly those covering the Chernobyl radioactive areas. The Ministers said that they would consider the matter. What are the British Government doing to help with the very dangerous sarcophagus problem at Chernobyl?

Mr. Oppenheim

With respect to the hon. Gentleman, I do not think that that question relates directly to the main question he asked. I shall certainly write to him and explain exactly what the Government are doing. If he wants to come to the Department to discuss the matter, I shall be happy to organise that.

Madam Speaker

I now call Mr. Michael Brown to ask Question 45, which was incorrectly unstarred.