§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government take to monitor sales of nuclear-related technology by(a) Canada and (b) France. [148964]
§ Mr. MacShaneWe take a keen interest in supplies to countries of proliferation concern, whatever the source. But the UK Government do not directly monitor sales of nuclear-related technology by Canada and France. Both countries are members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) export control regime which controls the supply of nuclear-related items and technology.
NSG members undertake not to transfer sensitive items where there is a risk of diversion to acts of nuclear terrorism, to nuclear explosive activity, or unsafeguarded nuclear fuel cycle activity. They exchange notifications issued as a result of national decisions to deny transfers of sensitive items, and undertake not to approve identical exports without first consulting the state that issued the original denial notification. Further information can be found at: www.nuclearsuppliersgroup.org
Both states are also members of the Zangger Committee, which serves as the "faithful interpreter" of the Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to harmonise nuclear export controls for NPT parties. Committee members produce annual declarations that they have not transferred certain specified material to non-nuclear weapon states not party to the NPT. More information can be found at: www.zanggercommittee.org.