§ Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy towards informing the International Atomic Energy Agency of any information his Department has regarding possible breaches of the non-proliferation treaty by other state parties.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe would draw the attention of the IAEA to any such information as appropriate.
§ Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what powers are vested in the International Atomic Energy Agency to prevent the diversion of nuclear materials from civil to military use in the time between its regular inspections.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggIf there were reason to believe that materials were being diverted from civil to military uses, the IAEA could request a special inspection.
§ Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications took place between Her Majesty's Government and the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding Iraqi efforts to operate a covert nuclear weapons programme prior to 15 January 1991.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe have made known on a number of occasions in various ways our concerns that Iraq appeared to be pursuing a covert nuclear weapons programme in contravention of its obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
§ Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions took place at the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding the movement of Iraqi safeguarded materials away from Tuwaila.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggAny formal discussion of this matter would have to take place in the IAEA board of governors. There has been no discussion of this kind.