To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what security controls are in place to monitor the international sales of red mercury.

I am advised that the substance known as red mercury has long been incorrectly associated with capabilities in nuclear weapons development. Neither mercury oxide nor mercury sulphide, whether or not in the form which gives them their red colour, are subject to export control from the United Kingdom. If "red mercury" is a code name for enriched uranium, then controls apply.