§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what safeguards exist to ensure that non-nuclear weapons states acquiring reprocessing facilities do not use plutonium for military purposes.
§ Mr. RifkindNon-nuclear weapon states parties to the non-proliferation treaty undertake not to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. This obligation is verified by the acceptance of safeguards supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agency on all source or special fissionable material in all peaceful nuclear facilities within the territory of the state or under its control. In the case of non-nuclear weapon states not parties to the NPT, safeguards agreements with the IAEA are in force in respect of reprocessing facilities in two countries.
Moreover, 20 states have adopted the nuclear suppliers guidelines which establish the principles for safeguards and export controls which apply to nuclear transfers to any non-nuclear weapon state for peaceful purposes.
The guidelines specify that restraint should be exercised in transferring reprocessing facilities and that such exports should be subject to certain conditions, including the application of safeguards.