§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have discussed with other nuclear-weapon signatories of the non-proliferation treaty the issues now seen to be raised by the reprocessing in Britain and in France of irradiated nuclear fuel for Japan; whether they agree with the International Atomic Energy Authority that it would be better if all plutonium stocks, both present and future, in Japan and elsewhere, were to be kept to a minimum and be placed under international control; and whether they together with other non-proliferation treaty powers will now discuss these issues with the Japanese Government with a view to limiting the plutonium to be held by Japan, despite the financial loss the cancelling of some reprocessing in Britain and France would represent.
§ Baroness Denton of WakefieldNo. Exports of nuclear materials from the United Kingdom are made in accordance with its obligations under the non-proliferation treaty. This policy was strengthened when my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary announced on 24th September 1991 that the United Kingdom would adopt a policy of full-scope safeguards as a condition of supply. All plutonium held by Japan is monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's 'Government:
What conditions they are imposing on the vessels due later this summer to carry reprocessed plutonium from Britain to Japan, when within United Kingdom or other EC inland or territorial waters or fishing limits, or those of overseas territories for which they are responsible, and for the vessels' crews; for the routes to be taken by the vessels, and the notice, and the advanced advice, 45WA that should be given to coastal states which may be at risk if the vessels or their cargoes were to become casualties or be subjected to terrorist attack, and whether the International Atomic Energy Authority is being consulted.
§ Baroness Denton of WakefieldNo arrangements have been made at this stage for the shipment of plutonium from the United Kingdom to Japan.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Under what flag the vessels due to carry reprocessed plutonium from Britain to Japan are to operate.
§ Baroness Denton of WakefieldNo arrangements have been made at this stage for the shipment of plutonium from the United Kingdom to Japan.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What insurance requirements they are imposing on the trade in reprocessed plutonium; whether there are any limits on the liability of the relevant Japanese authorities: If so what are these limits, and in the event of damage beyond them being caused, who is to meet the relevant additional costs.
§ Baroness Denton of WakefieldAs with movements of other nuclear materials, it will be for the persons responsible under relevant domestic legislation and international conventions to make arrangements in line with the requirements set out therein. These instruments set out limits on insurance requirements and the arrangements for dealing with an incident which exceeds the limits.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any insurance on trade in reprocessed plutonium, or any of the relevant reinsurance, has been or is to he taken out in London.
§ Baroness Denton of WakefieldThis is a commercial matter for the operators concerned.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they agree that North Korea does not need reprocessing facilities and should not be developing them and that Japan does need them and is properly developing them and properly proposing to achieve a stockpile of plutonium, despite its bomb-making potential, and if so, why.
§ Baroness Denton of WakefieldReprocessing is not banned under the Non-Proliferation Treaty provided that international safeguards are properly applied. However, it is not allowed under the bilateral North/South Korean agreement on the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, signed on 31st December 1991. Japan has a long-standing commitment to the non-proliferation treaty and all its nuclear installations are open to safeguards inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Moreover, Japan has detailed plans and infrastructure in place for the civil use of plutonium.