Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 21 March 1997. It was answered by Anthony Nelson (Conservative) on Friday, 21 March 1997 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: What quantities of plutonium are stored under safeguards at United Kingdom nuclear facilities; in what form; if he will list the owners of the plutonium; and what quantities of United Kingdom-owned plutonium are currently on loan to other countries under safeguards. - Inc ref to the United Kingdom's annual plutonium figures publication, in the Lib.

Answer: Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of plutonium are stored under safeguards at United Kingdom nuclear facilities; in what form; if he will list the owners of the plutonium; and what quantities of United Kingdom-owned plutonium are currently on loan to other countries under safeguards. [21306] Mr. Nelson: All civil plutonium in the United Kingdom is subject to Euratom safeguards and to the terms of the tripartite UK/Euratom/IAEA safeguards agreement (INFCIRC/263). Details of the quantities of such plutonium stored at United Kingdom nuclear facilities, including its form and ownership, are published by my Department each year. A copy of the United Kingdom's annual plutonium figures publication for the year ended 31 March 1996 was placed in the Library of the House of Commons in July 1996. This publication also includes information by country on exports, and imports, of civil plutonium. Information on specific transactions, including loans of material, is commercially confidential. The United Kingdom has a policy of requiring full scope safeguards as a condition of supply which means that exports of plutonium are not allowed to any country, other than the nuclear weapons states, where there are any unsafeguarded nuclear installations.

Secondary information