§ Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the imports of natural and enriched uranium which he expects will take place in the period 1974–1984 inclusive from Canadian, South African, Australian and other sources, respectively.
§ Mr. EadieDuring the period 1974–1984 some 700 tonnes of uranium on average will be delivered each year from Canada. A contract between the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and Rossing Uranium Ltd. covers supply of a similar quantity of uranium from Namibia in six of the ten years. This contract is included in the Government's review of policy on Namibia and I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to the Question by the hon. Member for South Angus (Mr. Bruce-Gardyne). There are no contracts with other producing areas. Under the existing contracts no uranium will be imported in enriched form.
§ Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken, following the publication of the most recent 141W OECD report on uranium supply, to enlarge the uranium exploration programme;
(2) what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken, following the publication of the most recent OEDC report on uranium supply, to encourage further investment, in either private or the public sector, in the exploration for uranium;
(3) what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken, following the publication of the most recent report of the US Atomic Energy Commission on the liquid metal fast breeder reactor, to encourage investment in the mining of uranium throughout the Commonwealth.
§ Mr. EadieThe Government continue to play their part in international studies of uranium supply and demand and in the promotion thereby of further exploration. My Department is currently reviewing the prospects for meeting United Kingdom requirements for uranium.
§ Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Energy what were the total natural and enriched uranium imports of all types for the period 1968–1973 from the United States of America, Canada, Australia, South Africa and other areas, respectively.
§ Mr. EadieUnited Kingdom natural uranium imports during the period 1968–1973 from Canada and South Africa were respectively 4,900 and 5,200 tonnes of uranium. There were no imports from other areas and none of this uranium was enriched. The figures exclude uranium for experimental purposes and uranium temporarily imported for processing in this country and re-export.