§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the programmes, and the expenditure for them in 1992–93 and 1993–94, for(a) the clear-up of British military nuclear sites and materials and (b) participation in nuclear proliferation control efforts.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonMy Department attaches great importance to any clear-up programmes necessary, and deals with each situation as it arises. Details of each case are classified.
The Government attach a high priority to pursuing effective measures to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. My Department is actively supporting the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in its efforts to seek an indefinite extension to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and is working to promote effective international controls on nuclear exports to help prevent proliferation. In order 459W to assist with the safe and secure dismantlement of nuclear weapons in Russia, we are providing the Russian Federation with nuclear weapons transport vehicles, and special containers. Expenditure on this programme for 1992–93 was some £1,500,000; we estimate that expenditure for 1993–94 will be around £15,000,000. A number of personnel within my Department work on nuclear non-proliferation related matters; their costs are not separately identifiable.