§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Prime Minister (1) pursuant to her answer of 15 February, if there has been a change in Her Majesty's Government's policy on the gradual termination of the production of plutonium for military purposes since the statement made by the then Prime Minister Lord Home of the Hirsel as he is now is, on 21 April 1964, Official Report, column 1098;
(2) when she expects the production of plutonium for military purposes to be terminated finally as envisaged by the then Prime Minister on 21 April 1964, Official Report, column 1098.
§ The Prime MinisterThere has been no change in Her Majesty's Government's policy on the production of plutonium for defence purposes, which is that it is kept at the minimum required to meet defence needs.
Defence plutonium production was stopped for a period subsequent to the then Prime Minister's statement on 21 April 1964 and following the fulfilment of defence requirements. There has been one subsequent period of 407W production in response to a further defence requirement. It would not be in the national interest to give details of future production of plutonium, which will be kept at the minimum level required to meet defence needs.