HC Deb 25 July 1962 vol 663 cc164-5W
Mr. Mason

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science (1) why the Atomic Energy Authority has concluded a contract with Italy to supply fuel elements for the Latina nuclear power station without obtaining agreement for the irradiated fuels to return to the United Kingdom for processing;

(2) whether it is the intention of the Atomic Energy Authority to require in their contract the return of the irradiated fuel rods which they are to supply to the Tokai Mura nuclear power station in Japan;

(3) if he is aware that as a result of supplies of fuel rods being exported for use in nuclear power stations but not being returned to the United Kingdom for processing other nations will have available fissile material which could be used for producing nuclear weapons; and if he will make it a condition of all future Atomic Energy Authority contracts for the export of fuel elements that the irradiated fuel be returned to the United Kingdom.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

The Atomic Energy Authority tells me that it was for commercial reasons that the Latina contract did not provide for the return of irradiated fuel to the United Kingdom. The details of the Tokai Mura contract are now being negotiated, but the Authority expects that most of the irradiated fuel will be returned to the United Kingdom for reprocessing.

It is reasonable that other countries which buy British nuclear power reactors and fuel should if they wish be able to use the fissile material obtained from them for peaceful purposes. It is, however, the policy of Her Majesty's Government to permit the export of power reactors and fuel only when there are adequate safeguards to prevent the use for a military purpose of the fissile material obtained from them. These safeguards include provisions for the maintenance of adequate operating records and their inspection at any time by representatives of Her Majesty's Government or of an international organisation.

These conditions have been met in the cases of the Latina and Tokai Mura power stations.

Mr. Mason

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what will be the total receipts of the Atomic Energy Authority from the sale of fuel elements to Italy and Japan for their respective nuclear power stations.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

It is not the practice to reveal confidential particulars of the Authority's commercial contracts.