Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Meirrionnydd Nant Conwy, 29 February,Official Report, column 482, what quantities of unsafeguarded uranium are present at each United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority site; why unsafeguarded uranium is present at non-mixed facility civil nuclear sites; and whether the Euratom and International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards authorities hae been informed of the arrangements in detail.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe UKAEA carries out contract R and D work for customers; that for MOD involves the presence of small quantities of unsafeguarded materials at UKAEA sites, details of which cannot be disclosed for reasons of national security. The relevant safeguards authorities are kept informed of movements into and out of safeguards.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Meirronnydd Nant Conwy, 29 February,Official Report, column 482, on nuclear materials, he will set out the procedures under which civil safeguarded uranium is co-processed with unsafeguarded defence uranium in compliance with the specific safeguards arrangements for civil uranium at Springfields.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerA reporting regime has been agreed whereby the necessary movement and accountancy reports of civil material are submitted to Euratom. The inspectors have access to this material for verification in accordance with chapter 7 of the Euratom treaty.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if any of the uranium imported from Durban, South Africa, on 28 February 1987 has since been withdrawn from safeguards under article 14 of the terms of the UK/Euratom/International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards agreement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerNo.