§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will ensure that British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. publishes the text of the management agreement it has with the Central Electricity Generating Board and the South of Scotland Electricity Board for the ownership and control of stocks of plutonium for civil purposes.
§ Mr. GoodladNo.
§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Energy if, further to his replies to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) of 6 November, Official Report, column 547, and to the hon. Member for Meironnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Thomas) of 21 July, Official Report, column 10, he will indicate whether the figures given for plutonium exports for civil purposes other than to the United States of America is net of import; and if he will set out in table form the gross exports of plutonium to, and gross imports of plutonium from, each country, including the United States of America, up to 31 March.
§ Mr. GoodladThe figure given in my reply of 21 July 1985 is a net figure. It represents gross exports of plutonium produced in the magnox reactors of the CEGB and SSEB less returns of previously exported material. The basis of the calculation was set out in BNFL's written evidence to the Sizewell inquiry, BNFL/P/1 (Add 10)
240WFigures for gross exports and imports of plutonium were given in my replies of 25 July, at column 602, and 6 November respectively.
Information relating to individual countries is commercially sensitive.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Energy pursuant to his reply of 6 November, Official Report, c. 547, if he will specify (i) what proportion of the 230 kg of plutonium imported since May 1979 was fabricated into fuel pins after entry of separated plutonium into the United Kingdom, (ii) what quantity of plutonium was subsequently re-exported, (iii) what proportion of the re-exports left the United Kingdom as spent fuel (iv) what quantity of plutonium was re-exported as spent fuel in the same fuel pins as those in which it was imported, (v) to what use any plutonium which had entered the United Kingdom outside fuel pins, and was not subsequently manufactured into fuel pins, was put, (vi) what quantity of plutonium was not combined into fuel rods and (vii) in which reactors fuel rods incorporating the imported plutonium were used; and if he will deposit in the Library the text of any safeguard agreements which related to the import of plutonium fuel.
§ Mr. GoodladWith the exception of 6g of separated plutonium imported by BNFL for use as calibration standards, all of the material referred to in my answer of 6 November has been imported by the UKAEA. I am asking the chairman of the authority to write to the hon. Member on the detailed points he raises. Each country listed in my reply of 6 November has a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. There are no specific safeguards agreements which relate to the import of plutonium fuel. However all civil nuclear material in the United Kingdom is subject to the provisions of the UK/Euratom/IAEA tripartite agreement and the Euratom Treaty. These are in the Library of the House.