Dr. ThomasTo ask the Prime Minister what actions the Government have taken, and intend to take, to encourage those parties to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty that have not yet negotiated their mandatory safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency, to do so.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 8 December 1989]: The negotiation and conclusion of a safeguards agreement pursuant to article III of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) are matters for each NPT party and the International Atomic Energy Agency. However, we take every appropriate opportunity to underline the importance we attach to the fulfilment of obligations under the NPT.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Prime Minister what steps the Government intend to take to assist in increasing the funding for International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards activities.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 8 December 1989]: The International Atomic Energy Agency's safeguards activities are financed from its regular budget. These activities play a vital role in guarding against the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the whole international community benefits. When the agency's board of governors discusses the budget for 1991–92, the United Kingdom will continue to argue that safeguards activities deserve the highest priority.
§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Prime Minister if she will make it her policy to raise at the Strasbourg summit of European Community Heads of Government with the President and Prime Minister of France, France's export policies for nuclear materials and sensitive nuclear technology and prospects of France joining the nulear non-proliferation treaty.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 8 December 1989]: I did not raise these issues at the European Council meeting in Strasbourg.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Prime Minister if, during her meeting with President Roh Tae Woo of South Korea in London recently, she discussed the dangers to peace in the Korean peninsular of the North Korean development of a military nuclear materials production capability based on a United Kingdom designed reactor and the fourth review conference of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty next August and its role in preventing nuclear proliferation in the Korean peninsula.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 8 December 1989]: Neither subject was raised.