HC Deb 31 July 1978 vol 955 cc108-9W
Mr. Tom Ellis

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, further to the reply to the hon. Member for Wrexham on 3rd July, if he will make a further statement on the compliance of the agreement between the United Kingdom and Australian Governments with the Euratom Treaty requirements, in the light of the statement by the EEC Commissioner responsible for energy matters that the draft agreement is in violation of the Euratom Treaty.

Mr. Benn

The Government do not accept that the objections raised by the Commission are well founded. The agreement was negotiated in full conformity with the United Kingdom's obligations as a member of Euratom and contained specific provisions to meet the requirements of the Euratom treaty. The Government regret that the Commission should have made objections to an agreement which would have opened the way to the conclusion of contracts for the supply of uranium to the United Kingdom from Australia. It is an unwarranted interference with the energy policy of the United Kingdom and conflicts with an essential national interest.