Nuclear Explosive Materials

HC Deb 22 January 1992 vol 202 c234W

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the international commerce in nuclear explosive materials.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Under article 1 of the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons the United Kingdom has undertakennot to transfer to any recipient whatsoever nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices or control over such weapons or explosive devices directly or indirectly". As a depositary for the treaty, the United Kingdom has always taken its responsibility very seriously and is a member of both the Zangger committee and the nuclear supplies group which are the main bodies which deal with transfers of nuclear-related equipment.