HL Deb 21 July 1993 vol 548 cc46-7WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is the case, as reported in the Independent, 9th July, that the possible acquisition of nuclear weapons by Japan was discussed at the recent meeting in Tokyo of the Group of Seven, and that the words "universal adherence" instead of "unconditional adherence" reflect this discussion, and, if so, what are the implications of this development for the export of plutonium from the United Kingdom to Japan to use in its civil nuclear power programme.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The political declaration of the Tokyo G7 Summit stated: "We reiterate the objectives of universal adherence to the NPT as well as to the treaty's indefinite extension in 1995 and nuclear arms reduction". The Japanese Government, like other Members of the G7, agreed to this declaration. The words "universal adherence" reflect the importance all G7 governments attach to accession to the NPT by all those states which are not yet members. By acceding to the treaty, non-nuclear weapons states, including Japan, undertake "not to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons".