§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to ensure that all plutonium exported from the United Kingdom since 1979 has been transferred in accordance with article III of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
§ Mr. RentonAs my hon. Friend the Member for Shoreham (Mr. Luce) said on 18 February to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Thomas)
Before an export licence is issued, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is responsible for obtaining appropriate assurances from the Government of a receiving state regarding peaceful and non-explosive use, application of International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, standards of physical protection and conditions for retransfer. British Nuclear Fuels plc is responsible to the Department of Energy for the storage and accountancy of all safeguards material in its possession.These guidelines still appley.
§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the countries from whose Governments his Department has received the appropriate assurances referred to by the then Minister of State, the hon. Member for Shoreham (Mr. Luce) on 18 February, Official Report, column 360, in respect of transfers of plutonium for civil use in each year since 1970;
(2) if he will list the countries to which plutonium intended for civil purposes has been transferred from the United Kingdom in each year since 1970.
§ Mr. RentonSince 1970, plutonium (in consignments larger than gramme quantities) intended for civil purposes has been exported to the following countries:
- Belgium
- Canada
- France
- Federal Republic of Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Switzerland
- United States of America
All the material involved is subject to bilateral and International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards agreements which provide for the plutonium to be used for peaceful purposes.