HC Deb 28 October 1988 vol 139 c452W
Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, during discussions between Her Majesty's Government and the Japanese Government over the detailed arrangements of International Atomic Energy Authority and bilateral safeguards to be applied to plutonium returned to Japan from British Nuclear Fuels Ltd., Sellafield, details of the exact intended use of the plutonium were sought from the Japanese Government.

Mr. Waldegrave

Plutonium from spent fuel reprocessed in the United Kingdom is returned to its country of origin or to any other destination only on receipt of assurances covering peaceful use, application of International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, physical protection and controls on retransfer. No detailed arrangements have yet been made with the Japanese authorities for transfers of plutonium to Japan. These transfers are not envisaged to begin until the mid-1990s.