HC Deb 17 October 1991 vol 196 cc196-7W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what progress has been made by the International Atomic Energy Agency in its assessment of the ways to implement special unannounced safeguards inspections, pursuant to articles 73 and 77 of INFCIRC/153 (1971), as requested in the final document of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty fourth review conference in September 1990; and what role has been played by the depository states for the nuclear non-proliferation treaty in supporting this assessment;

(2) if he will make a statement on the actions taken by the international nuclear safeguards authorities, pursuant to the proposals made by Her Majesty's Government in the statement at the fourth review conference of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty on 22 August 1990, and in particular on special safeguards inspection regimes.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

In his statement of 26 February of this year to the board of governors, the director general of the IAEA, Dr. Blix, outlined a number of proposals for improving international safeguards; these included a proposal for the increased use of special inspections. Detailed proposals are currently being developed by the IAEA and will be discussed in due course by the board of governors. The United Kingdom will play a full part in these discussions.

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