HC Deb 19 July 1999 vol 335 cc430-1W
Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries whose Governments have made representations to his Department about the imminent shipment of MOX fuel to Japan; and which of those Governments have also requested meetings. [91144]

Mr. Hoon

To date, representations have been made by the Governments of New Zealand and the Republic of Korea about the forthcoming shipment of MOX fuel to Japan. A meeting with the New Zealand High Commissioner took place on 28 June.

Though no specific representations have been made by Caribbean states on the MOX shipment, a meeting with Commonwealth Caribbean High Commissioners to discuss the more general issue of the movement of nuclear material through the Caribbean Sea will be held on 21 July.

Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance has been issued to embassies overseas on issues related to the imminent shipment of MOX fuel to Japan; and if he will place copies in the Library. [91079]

Mr. Hoon

Detailed guidance on the forthcoming MOX shipment has been provided to posts. As it includes confidential material for the information of governments along the possible routes, it would not be appropriate to place copies of it in the Library.

Industry guidance has also been supplied to posts. Copies of this will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to reassure other Governments that the shipment of MOX fuel is neither an environmental nor a proliferation risk. [91154]

Mr. Hoon

Though under no obligation to do so, it has been our practice since 1996 to provide information in advance and on a confidential basis to coastal states, both on and off the route, on shipments of nuclear materials. This includes information on the internationally agreed physical protection measures in place to counter any environmental or proliferation risk. We intend to continue with this practice in the case of the forthcoming MOX shipment.