HC Deb 31 January 2003 vol 398 cc1056-7W
Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will increase the United Kingdom's donation to the International Atomic Energy Agency to assist the international inspection and safeguards regime. [93886]

Nigel Griffiths

In addition to its assessed contributions to the regular budget of the IAEA, the UK makes a number of voluntary contributions to it for specific activities, including those carried out by the Agency's Safeguards Department.

The agency is now discussing with member states proposals that it has put forward for the regular budget for 2004 and 2005. These proposals include a significant increase in funding for safeguards. The UK has welcomed the proposal that the budget be increased to enable the agency to better carry out its statutory and other obligations. We believe that, if a convincing case is made for an increase in the safeguards budget, member states must ensure that the extra resources are made available.