§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What role the Department of Trade and Industry plays in the regulation of the use of depleted uranium. [HL3451]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville):The DTI UK Safeguards Office is concerned with the application of international safeguards on civil nuclear material in the UK, including depleted uranium This involves working with the UK nuclear industry (and others with safeguards reporting requirements) and safeguards inspectors from the European Commission (currently part of the Directorate for Transport am Energy (DG-TREN) and based in Luxembourg) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) the security regulator, promotes a robust security regime for civil nuclear material. We cannot comment on the security measures taken, which could be of potential use to terrorists.
Imports of depleted uranium into the United, Kingdom do not require the specific approval of the department. All imports of armour-piercing ammunition, whether or not containing depleted, uranium, require an individual import licence granted by the department under the Import of Goods (Control) Order 1954. No other product containing depleted, uranium requires such an individual import licence.
Although strategic export controls do not regulate the actual use of depleted uranium, any exports of depleted uranium from the Community are controlled, under Council Regulation (EC) No 1334/2000. The DTI is responsible for the licensing of goods controlled by the regulation.