HL Deb 16 March 1977 vol 381 cc3-4

2.40 p.m.

The Earl of LAUDERDALE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the EEC has yet agreed to comply with the safeguards proposed by the International Atomic Energy Agency for control of nuclear installations.

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, the non-nuclear weapon States of Euratom have arranged for their Safeguards Agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency to come into force. The United Kingdom, a nuclear weapon State, signed a separate agreement last September and we hope to implement it as soon as possible.

The Earl of LAUDERDALE

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask him whether it is the case that France has not yet agreed to this, and that this is resulting in the hold-up of uranium supplies to the Community?

Lord STRABOLGI

Yes, my Lords; I can confirm that France does not have such an agreement with the Agency.

The Earl of LAUDERDALE

My Lords, can the noble Lord say whether there is likely to be agreement on this matter at the next meeting of the Council of Energy Ministers on the 29th of this month?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I am afraid that I cannot answer for other countries. France, I understand, is considering an agreement of some kind.