HL Deb 25 July 1994 vol 557 c70WA
Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their opinion of the article which appeared in the International Defence Review 6/1994 entitled Red Mercury and written by Dr. Frank Barnaby, the nuclear physicist and former Director of the Stockholm International Peace Institute.

Earl Ferrers

This article does not provide any new evidence for the existence or merit of red mercury. We have no evidence that red mercury has any potential uses in nuclear weapons.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have received a copy of the letter apparently signed by President Yeltsin referred to in column WA 73 on 5th July and which purports to authorise the Russian concern "Promekologiya" to "produce, buy, store, transport, deliver" and sell abroad up to 10 tons of red mercury every year and if so, whether the copy appears to be genuine

Earl Ferrers

Officials are approaching the Russian authorities to ascertain the authenticity of a document which the noble Lord has drawn to our attention.