§ Mr. Abseasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether any foreign subjects from countries who are not parties to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty are engaged in research at Urenco establishments at Capenhurst, Marlow or Almelo; and whether any bilateral agreements exist for the exchange of research information or research workers between Urenco and Pakistan;
262W(2) what funding is provided through Urenco by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. as agents of Her Majesty's Government to the Almelo Institute in Holland; whether responsibility for security surveillances at the Almelo Institute is shared with British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.; and whether he is satisfied that the existing security arrangements adequately protect the interests of the United Kingdom;
(3) what discussions he has had with the Dutch Government referring to the activities of Dr. A. Q. Khan, a Pakistan subject formerly working at Almelo Institute, Holland; whether a review of Dr. Khan's activities will take place at the next meeting of inter-governmental joint committee of Urenco; and whether, in view of public concern, he will make a statement;
(4) whether he is satisfied with the security surveillance Urenco possesses over work and research given by Urenco to outside laboratories; whether any confidential research worked was passed by Urenco to any laboratory or research centre employing or using the services of a Pakistan subject Dr. A. Q. Khan; and what communications he has had with the Dutch Government over the issue of the subcontracting of Urenco research work with outside laboratories.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe background to the allegations that a national of a fourth country had access to classified information about the centrifuge project through employment at Almelo were discussed by the centrifuge joint committee last week. The Netherlands Government are making a full investigation of the circumstances of this occurrence.
In the light of the outcome of this, and of a review of detailed security arrangements by Urenco which will include sub-contracting arrangements, the three Governments will consider whether action is needed to strengthen the existing tripartite arrangements for protecting classified information.
Under a mutual financing agreement between the commercial partners, BNFL contributes on its own account to the capital cost of the Almelo plant, and receives contributions from the corresponding Netherlands and German organisations to the cost of Capenhurst. Security practice is based on rules agreed 263W by the three Governments and applied by each with its own territory. There are no bilateral agreements for the exchange of research information or research workers between Urenco and Pakistan or any other country.