§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the last four years(a) representatives and (b) contractors of the Delegation Generale pour l'Armement, and the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique have visited (i) the United Kingdom to discuss the furtherance of nuclear co-operation and (ii) the atomic weapons establishments at (1) Aldermaston, (2) Burghfield, (3) Cardiff and (4) Foulness. [24608]
§ Mr. George RobertsonDetails of the total number of visits are as follows. More precise information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Financial year Aldermaston Burghfield Cardiff Foulness 1993–94 4 3 0 0 1994–95 3 1 0 1 1995–96 4 3 0 1 1996–97 8 0 0 0 April 1997 to 21 January 1998 6 0 0 0
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what activities have been undertaken by the Anglo-French Joint Commission on Nuclear Policy and Doctrine since May 1997; [24609]
(2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the report of the Anglo-French Joint Commission on Nuclear Policy and Doctrine approved at the Anglo-French summit in London in November. [24610]
§ Mr. George RobertsonDiscussions within the Franco-British Joint Commission on Nuclear Policy and Doctrine and reports of the Commission to Ministers are confidential between our two Governments and are covered by exemption 1 of the code of practice on access to government information relating to defence, security and international relations.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the last four years members of the French armed forces have visited the United Kingdom to discuss nuclear co-operation. [24607]
§ Mr. George RobertsonMy Department has regular contacts with members of the French Armed Forces and French officials on defence nuclear matters. These include meetings of the Franco-British Joint Nuclear Commissions, biannual staff talks and visits to the United Kingdom on an ad-hoc basis.