§ Lord Joplingasked Her Majesty's Government:
To what extent they are satisfied with the level of security surrounding former Soviet Union nuclear, chemical and biological legacies; what schemes for increasing security are planned; and what contribution from Western and Asian governments is promised. [HL646]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanEnsuring the security of sensitive materials is an integral part of many projects currently being carried out as part of the G8 Global Partnership. Work is also being carried out specifically on physical protection. The UK recognises the importance of helping Russia ensure that its stocks of proliferation-sensitive materials are protected to international standards from the risk of sabotage and theft. We will be identifying a portfolio of high priority projects in collaboration with the Russian authorities and other G8 Global Partnership donor countries, which will enhance nuclear security at key buildings and infrastructure. Once identified we expect to spend at least £1 million per annum on these projects as part of our commitment to the Global Partnership. Some pilot projects have already been completed including a physical protection system for a nuclear-propelled cargo ship in north-west Russia in collaboration with Sweden, and physical protection systems for two nuclear powered ice-breakers in collaboration with Sweden and Norway.
During the International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference in 2002 the UK pledged £500,000 to its nuclear security fund. The fund contributes to meeting the UK's objective of improving the security of nuclear and radioactive material and nuclear facilities in the former Soviet Union.
A number of other countries have provided, or plan to provide, assistance with improving the security of nuclear, chemical and biological facilities and materials. For example, during the last financial year, the US spent 39.8 million dollars on nuclear weapons storage security, 19.6 million dollars on nuclear weapons transportation security, and 199.5 million dollars on nuclear material protection, controls and accounting, and some 20 million dollars on security at the Kizner and Shchuch'ye chemical weapons storage sites. Canada has committed 65 million dollars to strengthen nuclear and radiological security. Germany has committed 170 million euros by 2009 for the physical protection of storage sites for fissile material. France has committed up to 5 million euros in 2003–04 towards security and safety in Russian biological facilities.
Copies of the UK's first annual report on the G8 Global Partnership published in December 2003 have been placed in the Library of the House.