§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on the involvement of BNFL in nuclear weapons programmes. [119539]
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 16 June 2003]BNFL's Board ensures compliance with all UK nuclear nonproliferation obligations.
In common with many other suppliers, BNFL has made an important contribution to the UK's effective and credible nuclear deterrent. Tritium continues to be supplied to the Ministry of Defence, but the production and separation of plutonium for weapons' use was stopped prior to 1995. Civil nuclear material at BNFL facilities is, like such material at other facilities in the UK, subject to Euratom Treaty safeguards and to the terms of the UK's safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Euratom.
BNFL is a third joint venture partner in a consortium that manages the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston on be half of MOD.