Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will review the current financial contributions made by the United Kingdom to the safeguards activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency to assess its adequacy.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe financing of the International Atomic Energy Agency's safeguards activities was explained in my reply to the hon. Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Cryer) on 10 February 1988 at columns228–9.
I am satisfied that the IAEA's 1988 programme and budget, which was adopted after thorough discussion in the agency's board and general conference, are adequate for the proper discharge of all the agency's functions in the current year.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the progress made towards resolving issues described as problems, numbers 1 to 17, in paragraphs 46–62 of the 1986 International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards implementation report; and if he will make a statement on specific progress achieved through 1987 on each of the 17 problem areas.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards implementation report is confidential to the board of governors. I have full confidence in the effectiveness of the agency's safeguards system. The United Kingdom funds a substantial safeguards support programme on top of payments to the regular budget of the IAEA to assist the agency in the attainment of its safeguards goals in a cost-effective manner.
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Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether the conclusions of the 1987 International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards implementation report differ in any significant way from those contained in the 1986 safeguards implementation report.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerA summary of the International Atomic Energy Agency's 1987 safeguards implementation report will he published in the agency's 1987 annual report which will be placed in the Library of the House. I am not aware that there is likely to be any significant difference in the general conclusions of the 1987 report.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make it his policy to direct Her Majesty's Government's representative on the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency to seek the early public release of the 1987 International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards implementation report.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerNo. The 1987 safeguards implementation report of the International Atomic Energy Agency is confidential to the board of governors. A summary will be published in the agency's 1987 annual report which will he placed in the Library of the House. Any decision to publish the 1987 safeguards implementation report would be a matter for the board of governors and the general conference of the IAEA.