asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has received any ir formation as to the use to be made by the Israeli Government of United Kingdom origin depleted uranium obtained via Luxembourg.

The Israeli authorities have told the International Atomic Energy Authority that the material was imported for non-nuclear non-explosive purposes and have permitted the agency to carry out an inspection.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the shipment to Israel from Luxembourg of United Kingdom-origin depleted uranium.

Export of the material to Luxembourg was authorised in accordance with the policy for nuclear exports laid down in 1976. That it was subsequently re-transferred to Israel is a matter for the Luxembourg Government in conjunction with the Euratom and IAEA safeguards authorities. The Israeli authorities have told the IAEA that the material was imported for non-nuclear, non-explosive purposes and have permitted the agency to carry out an inspection. Discussions in which we are playing an active role are underway within Euratom, to ensure a common interpretation of the safeguards regulations with regard to material transferred for non-nuclear use.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the British delegation to the non-proliferation treaty review conference will be presenting any proposals for the strengthening of safeguards following the shipment to Israel from Luxembourg of United Kingdom origin depleted uranium, outside safeguard provisions.

There is no intention at present to do so. The safeguards system was successful in detecting the anomaly.