To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the expected annual cost to Her Majesty's Government for the protection of reprocessed plutonium from Sellafield to Japan in the 1990s; and how much will be recovered from commercial sources.

I refer the hon. Member to the two replies which I gave him on 24 February 1988, both at column 240.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what guidance or advice he has given with regard to the use or deployment of agencies other than the police which are to be involved in the physical protection of plutonium transported from Sellafield to Japan; and on what basis such use is paid for at the cost of deployment recovered from commercial sources.

I have nothing to add to the replies that I gave the hon. Member on 11 May 1988, at column 110 and on 24 May 1988, at column 102.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy which airport is currently used in connection with the export of plutonium by air from Sellafield.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 9 June 1988 at column 633.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if his consent to British Nuclear Fuels plc to export plutonium to Japan is subject to any review in the event of that country reducing or increasing its fast breeder reactor programme; and if he will make a statement.

The merits of all exports of nuclear materials are considered case by case within the guidelines set out in the statement by the then Foreign Secretary, James Callaghan, on 31 March 1976 at columns 514–516.No specific approvals have yet been given for the return to Japan of the plutonium that will result from the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel at THORP.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what conditions have been imposed in connection with the export of plutonium to Japan; and if he will indicate (a) the expected amount of plutonium to be exported by British Nuclear Fuels plc to Japan and (b) the maximum amount of plutonium that is permitted to be exported each year.

Plutonium from spent fuel reprocessed in the United Kingdom is returned to its country of origin or to any other destination only on receipt of assurances covering peaceful use, application of safeguards, physical protection and controls on retransfer. I understand that no schedule has yet been agreed with the customers for the return of plutonium to Japan after reprocessing in THORP.