HC Deb 14 July 1986 vol 101 cc388-9W
Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what continuous surveillance of the processes involved is provided by control agencies to ensure that nuclear energy programmes are not used for warlike ends.

Mr. Goodlad

Safeguarding of the processes involved in civil nuclear programmes consists of continuous materials accountancy arrangements complemented by on-site inspections.

Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he makes of the extent to which technical difficulties in implementing safeguards against the use of nuclear energy programmes for warlike ends are surmountable.

Mr. Goodlad

I have no reason to believe that there are technical difficulties in implementing safeguards which cannot be surmounted.