§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about his Department's plans for use and development of nuclear energy facilities; and if he will make a statement. [73788]
§ Dr. MooniePlutonium is the only fissile material produced in reactors. In April 1995 the then Foreign Secretary announced that the United Kingdom had ceased the production of fissile material for explosive purposes. Ministry of Defence has sufficient stocks of plutonium (as announced in SDR) to meet foreseeable needs. The UK supports the need for a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty which would ban the production of fissile material for explosive purposes. Chapelcross MAGNOX reactors currently produce tritium for the national nuclear deterrent. BNFL has announced its decision to close Chapelcross by March 2005. Sufficient stocks of tritium are held to meet the needs of the Trident programme. Any decision on a replacement source of tritium, should one be required, will not need to be taken for many years.