Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 10 June 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 June 2004. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 June 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will list the occasions since 1974 when nuclear material has been found to be unaccounted for, broken down by (a) the material and (b) the location where it had been held. - Includes ref to figures from UKAEA, BNFL and Urenco sites, in Library.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the occasions since 1974 when nuclear material has been found to be unaccounted for, broken down by (a) the material and (b) the location where it had been held. [179055] Mr. Timms: In accordance with international practice, the inventory difference that occurs when the result of a physical inventory of nuclear material is compared with the book inventory is referred to as MUF (`material unaccounted for'. The difference may be negative (an apparent loss) or positive (an apparent gain). MUF is a recognised feature of accounting for nuclear material and is caused primarily by the uncertainties inherent in the techniques used to measure nuclear material. MUF figures at UKAEA, BNFL and Urenco sites are published annually by the industry. Figures published since 1973-74 will be placed in the Libraries of the House. There is no evidence to suggest that there have been any real losses or gains of nuclear material.

Secondary information