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Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps they will take to ensure that the May 2005 review of the Non-Proliferation Treaty balances obligations on the existing nuclear powers, including the United States, India, Pakistan and Israel, with those of prospective nuclear powers. [HL1820]Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Government are strongly committed to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. The treaty strikes a balance between non-proliferation, disarmament and the peaceful uses of nuclear technology. The obligations taken on by nations becoming a state party to the treaty apply equally to the nuclear weapon states and the non-nuclear weapon states. The UK delegation to the review conference will work to strengthen all three pillars of the treaty. The delegation will stress the need for a stronger and more effective counter-proliferation regime. We will emphasise the importance of compliance with the treaty and will promote the adoption of safeguards. We will emphasise too the UK's good record on nuclear disarmament, and will produce a final report of the studies that we have conducted on the verification of nuclear disarmament.
What steps they will take to ensure that the May 2005 review of the Non-Proliferation Treaty balances obligations on the existing nuclear powers, including the United States, India, Pakistan and Israel, with those of prospective nuclear powers. [HL1820]The Government are strongly committed to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. The treaty strikes a balance between non-proliferation, disarmament and the peaceful uses of nuclear technology. The obligations taken on by nations becoming a state party to the treaty apply equally to the nuclear weapon states and the non-nuclear weapon states. The UK delegation to the review conference will work to strengthen all three pillars of the treaty. The delegation will stress the need for a stronger and more effective counter-proliferation regime. We will emphasise the importance of compliance with the treaty and will promote the adoption of safeguards. We will emphasise too the UK's good record on nuclear disarmament, and will produce a final report of the studies that we have conducted on the verification of nuclear disarmament. The Government are strongly committed to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. The treaty strikes a balance between non-proliferation, disarmament and the peaceful uses of nuclear technology. The obligations taken on by nations becoming a state party to the treaty apply equally to the nuclear weapon states and the non-nuclear weapon states. The UK delegation to the review conference will work to strengthen all three pillars of the treaty. The delegation will stress the need for a stronger and more effective counter-proliferation regime. We will emphasise the importance of compliance with the treaty and will promote the adoption of safeguards. We will emphasise too the UK's good record on nuclear disarmament, and will produce a final report of the studies that we have conducted on the verification of nuclear disarmament.
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The UK supports universalisation of the treaty. However, the non-signatories to the treaty, India, Pakistan and Israel, have no obligations to fulfil in respect to it, and the review conference is not in a position to put obligations upon them.
* Non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference *
Mr. Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what bilateral discussions have taken place between the Government and (a) the United States, (b) the Russian Federation, (c) China and (d) France regarding the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in New York in May. [223322]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what bilateral discussions have taken place between the Government and the United States, the Russian Federation, China and France regarding the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in New York in May. [223322]
Mr. MacShane: We have had contact with a number of countries, including those mentioned, in the run up to the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.
We have had contact with a number of countries, including those mentioned, in the run up to the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.
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Mr. Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place with the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding the proliferation of nuclear weapons by non-state actors. [223331]
Mr. MacShane: The Government hosted an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Conference in London from 16 to 18 March to discuss the nature of the threat of nuclear terrorism and to take forward the agenda on nuclear security. The United Kingdom, through contacts at meetings such as this in London, through its delegation to the IAEA in Vienna, and through the UK Governor who sits on the IAEA Board of Governors, remains in close touch with all aspects of the IAEA's important work.
The Government hosted an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Conference in London from 16 to 18 March to discuss the nature of the threat of nuclear terrorism and to take forward the agenda on nuclear security. The United Kingdom, through contacts at meetings such as this in London, through its delegation to the IAEA in Vienna, and through the UK Governor who sits on the IAEA Board of Governors, remains in close touch with all aspects of the IAEA's important work.
* Nuclear Security *
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to combat nuclear terrorism. [223218]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to combat nuclear terrorism. [223218]
Mr. MacShane: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) first Strategic Priority is to achieve a world safer from global terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. We work extensively to convince others to face up to these threats and to help them do so. All such efforts make it harder for terrorists and proliferators to operate and so help reduce the threat from nuclear terrorism.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) first Strategic Priority is to achieve a world safer from global terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. We work extensively to convince others to face up to these threats and to help them do so. All such efforts make it harder for terrorists and proliferators to operate and so help reduce the threat from nuclear terrorism.
There are a number of programmes specifically targeted at nuclear terrorism-the principal one being the Global Partnership which aims, among other things, to address the problems of the nuclear legacy in the former Soviet Union. My right hon. and noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, Minister of State at the FCO, has also been closely involved in the International Atomic Energy Agency International Conference on Nuclear Security held in London last week, which discussed the significant risks to the international community posed by the threat of malicious acts involving nuclear and other radioactive materials and their associated facilities.
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent changes have been made to the United Kingdom donation to the International Atomic Energy Agency for nuclear materials accountancy and security controls. [223219]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent changes have been made to the United Kingdom donation to the International Atomic Energy Agency for nuclear materials accountancy and security controls. [223219]
Mr. MacShane: The United Kingdom has been a strong supporter of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Nuclear Security Fund since its inception. Most recently my right hon. and noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, announced at the International Conference for Nuclear Security held in London 16-18 March, the donation of a further £350,000 to the Nuclear Security Fund.
The United Kingdom has been a strong supporter of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Nuclear Security Fund since its inception. Most recently my right hon. and noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, announced at the International Conference for Nuclear Security held in London 16-18 March, the donation of a further £350,000 to the Nuclear Security Fund.
In 2003-04 the UK provided £1.2 million in voluntary support to the IAEA through the UK Safeguards Support Programme. In addition, the UK donated £1.4 million to the agency in support of its Safeguards Information System Replacement Project.23 Mar 2005 : Column 889W
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the address made on 16 March by the former United States Senator Sam Nunn to the International Conference on Nuclear Security: Global Directions for the Future. [223221]
Mr. MacShane: I warmly welcome the speech made by Senator Nunn to the International Conference on Nuclear Security. Although unable to attend the conference personally, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met with Senator Nunn on Monday 14 March to discuss these issues in depth.
I warmly welcome the speech made by Senator Nunn to the International Conference on Nuclear Security. Although unable to attend the conference personally, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met with Senator Nunn on Monday 14 March to discuss these issues in depth.
We share Senator Nunn's assessment of the urgency of this threat. The UK is developing its nuclear security programme under the Global Partnership and has recently announced a contract to undertake an upgrade of physical security at a key Russian Nuclear Research Centre. The contract, to be managed by experts from the British Nuclear Group, will focus on the Nikiet Institute in the centre of Moscow. It is one of Russia's leading nuclear research centres. The project is worth up to £2 million and will focus on the provision of physical protection upgrades on fencing, lighting, CCTV and access control systems. We hope that further such projects will roll out as nuclear security work becomes an increasingly important part of the Global Partnership programmes. Overall, in this financial year the UK will have spent £35.5 million on nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation programmes across the former Soviet Union.
* Pakistan/Iran (Nuclear Technology) *
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with counterparts in (a) Pakistan and (b) other European countries regarding the passing of nuclear technology from Pakistan to Iran; and if he will make a statement. [223027]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with counterparts in Pakistan and other European countries regarding the passing of nuclear technology from Pakistan to Iran; and if he will make a statement. [223027]
Mr. MacShane: Iran's nuclear programme is a key issue in discussions with a large number of countries, at ministerial and official level. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan has admitted to having supplied nuclear technology to Iran, and this information is being investigated by the International Atomic Energy Agency as well as by the authorities in a number of countries who continue to investigate the activities of Dr. Khan and his associates. Some of these associates were nationals of European countries. It would not be appropriate to comment on matters which are the subject of ongoing criminal investigations.
Iran's nuclear programme is a key issue in discussions with a large number of countries, at ministerial and official level. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan has admitted to having supplied nuclear technology to Iran, and this information is being investigated by the International Atomic Energy Agency as well as by the authorities in a number of countries who continue to investigate the activities of Dr. Khan and his associates. Some of these associates were nationals of European countries. It would not be appropriate to comment on matters which are the subject of ongoing criminal investigations.
In response to international encouragement Pakistan is working to strengthen its controls over the export of sensitive nuclear technology, including to Iran.