HL Deb 09 December 1986 vol 482 cc1138-9WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in negotiations over the management of international debt, the desirability or otherwise of debtor governments pursuing atomic energy policies which are likely to lead to a nuclear weapon production capability is taken into account.

Baroness Young

Only the economic performance of a country is taken into account during debt negotiations. Neither we, nor other creditors, are in a position to dictate to a country its political priorities, including the priority it gives to nuclear power. But we continue to urge all states to give evidence of the peaceful nature of their nuclear programmes by signing the Non-Proliferation Treaty.