§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the last date that uranium originating from(a) South Africa and (b) Namibia was delivered to the United Kingdom, in any form, for use in the civil nuclear programme.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryUranium for the United Kingdom's civil nuclear programme has not been imported from South Africa since 1973. Imports of uranium from other countries, including Namibia, are a commercial matter for the industry.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the date upon which safeguards were first applied to uranium delivered to the United Kingdom for use in the civil nuclear programme.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmorySafeguards were applied under the Euratom treaty to imports of natural and enriched uranium from 1 January 1973.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the nature and function of the civil uranium procurement directorate; in what year it was established; what is its annual operating budget; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe British civil uranium procurement directorate—BCUPD—was formed in July 1979 by the Central Electricity Generating Board, the South of Scotland Electricity Board and British Nuclear Fuels Limited. The BCUPD was responsible to these organisations for ensuring that uranium was available to meet the needs of the civil nuclear programme. Its administration was handled by the CEGB. Following the changes in the organisation of the electricity supply industry, it was agreed by Nuclear Electric plc, Scottish Nuclear Limited and British Nuclear Fuels plc that the individual organisations would be responsible for their own procurement. The BCUPD was accordingly disbanded in March 1991.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy from which countries uranium is currently imported for use in the British civil nuclear programme.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThis is a commercial matter for Nuclear Electric plc, Scottish Nuclear Limited and other users of civil uranium.