§ Sir Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Secretary of State for Energy if Her Majesty's Government have signed the International Atomic Energy Agency's convention on early notification of a nuclear accident adopted on 26 September 1986; when Her Majesty's Government expect to ratify it; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoodladThe conventions adopted by the IAEA on 26 September 1986 on early notification of, and mutual assistance in the event of, nuclear accidents and radiological emergencies were both signed by the UK on that day. Both Conventions will be ratified as soon as possible. In his speech to the special session of the IAEA's general conference my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy made clear that Her Majesty's Government would apply both conventions in advance of formal ratification.