HC Deb 23 July 1982 vol 28 cc324-5W
Mr. David Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date Her Majesty's Government began the negotiations with the French Government on bilateral emergency warning arrangements concerning the notification of incidents occurring at nuclear installations which could result in radiological hazards in the other's territory; and when he expects these to be completed.

Mr. Hurd

In May 1980 the French Government agreed with Her Majesty's Government in principle to the negotiation of a formal agreement concerning exchanges of information in the event of emergencies occurring in one of the two States which could have radiological consequences for the other. As I informed the hon. Member on 28 June—[Vol. 26, c. 237]—these negotiations are nearing completion and we hope that the agreement will come into force before the end of the year.