§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Energy if any plutonium produced in Central Electricity Generating Board's reactors and exported to any country has ever been used subsequently in weapons production; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoodladIt is on the public record that civil plutonium exported since 1971 has been sent for civil purposes to countries where international safeguards applied, and that in relation to plutonium sent prior to 1971 to the United States of America under the mutual defence agreement, Her Majesty's Government have been informed by the United States Government that it has not been used for weapons purposes.