Written Answers
Plutonium Exports To Usa
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether plutonium exported to the USA was transferred under a civil or military agreement, and what were the terms of that agreement.
United Kingdom plutonium has been exported to the United States for defence and civil purposes.Before 1971 exports were made of material derived from the United Kingdom's military reactors at Calder Hall and Chapelcross and from the reactors of the CEGB and SSEB. This was transferred under the Mutual Defence Agreement 1958, the terms of which are stated in Cmnd. 537, as amended. On 21st April 1964 the noble Lord, Lord Carrington, reported to the House (
Official Report, col. 676) that the Prime Minister had been informed by the United States Government that they had no intention of using this plutonium for weapons purposes. Last year the US Energy Secretary Mr. Hodel reported that this
plutonium had not been used in weapons and that it is the policy of his department not to so use it.
Since 1971 plutonium derived from the United Kingdom's military reactors has been supplied under the Mutual Defence Agreement for such uses as the United States Government has decided. Exports of United Kingdom material have also been made since 1971 for civil purposes. Two amounts were sold in 1973–74 and 1974–75 respectively. In 1979 the UKAEA announced a fast reactor research programme with the USA under which experimental fuel pins manufactured in the United Kingdom and USA are undergoing a range of tests in support of fast reactor safety. Plutonium in fast reactor fuel pins has been sent to the USA under this civil research programme. The movement of pins is planned to ensure that there will be no net export of plutonium from the United Kingdom by the end of the collaboration. All the material involved in this arrangement and the civil sales since 1971 are subject to the relevant bilateral and IAEA safeguards agreements, which provide for the plutonium to be used only for peaceful purposes.
Duich Moss: Peat Stripping
asked Her Majesty's Government:Why they stated that they had "received no letters or other inquiries from the European Commission" about their decision to approve peat stripping from Duich Moss (Islay) (
Official Report, 28th March 1985, col. 1140) in view of the statement by the Director-General for the Environment of the Commission of the European Communities that the Commission received a complaint about this in 1984 and that they have "since then, at two times, requested further information from the British Government as to the alleged facts".
As I have already written to inform the noble Lord, at the time when I answered his earlier Question the Scottish Office had received no approach from the European Commission about the decision to grant planning permission for peat stripping from Duich Moss. Inquiries had been made of other departments which might have been approached on this matter but, unfortunately, they did not reveal that a letter had by that time been received from the Commission by the Department of the Environment. The principal responsibility for dealing with the Commission's letter rests with that department since it deals with the Commission Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds. I understand that a response will be sent to the Commission in the near future. I have asked that a copy should be sent to the noble Lord.
Building Legislation: Discussions On Implementation
asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made in discussions with the insurance industry to permit the implementation of the Building Act concerning approved inspectors.
Discussions are continuing with the industry. The National House Building Council has submitted a proposed scheme which is being considered.
Meteorological Office: Cost
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the present cost to public funds of weather forecasting services and whether they consider that this expenditure is cost effective.
The net cost of the Meteorological Office in 1984–85 on a fully cost accounted basis, after taking into account receipts from repayment services, is expected to be £48 million. The breakdown of estimated costs to Defence Votes as between services to defence, the public and industry is shown in the Statement on Defence Estimates 1985, Volume 2, Table 7.7. The United Kingdom is an acknowledged world leader in the science of meteorology while at the same time producing services at one of the lowest per capita costs in the developed world. The Government are satisfied that the expenditure is cost effective. But we are seeking ways of increasing commercial revenues.
Weighing And Measuring Equipment: Report
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is intended to publish the report of the Eden Committee on the Metrological Control of Weighing and Measuring Equipment for Use for Trade.
Arrangements are now in hand to publish the report in full. Publication will be followed by extensive consultation with all the relevant interests. I shall inform the House when copies of the report are available. In the meantime, I have placed a copy of the committee's recommendations in the Library.
Civil Service Secondments
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make a further announcement about secondments to the Civil Service.
My right honourable friend the Prime Minister announced on 18th March, in another place, that, in the light of the legal advice which had been received, measures were being taken to provide that future appointments to the Civil Service by secondment are made in compliance with the Civil Service Order in Council 1982 and any regulations made thereunder. New procedures will be introduced as soon as possible. Until then, all proposals for new secondments are being referred to the Civil Service Commissioners and are being considered on an individual basis against the background of the provisions and discretionary powers contained in the Order in Council.There remains the question of regularising appointments on secondment terms made by departments, in the belief that the Civil Service Order in Council 1982 did not apply to such arrangements. The Civil Service Commissioners have been advised by their legal advisers that an appropriate way to proceed would be by way of a further order—the Civil Service Order in Council 1985—the object of which will be to regularise all such appointments made during the currency of the 1982 order and its predecessor the 1978 order on or before 18th March 1985, when my right honourable friend made her announcement. The order was made at a meeting of the Privy Council which was held yesterday, and a copy of it has been placed in the Library.
Intergovernmental Agreement 1985
asked Her Majesty's Government:If they will place a copy of the text of the 1985 Intergovernmental Agreement in the Library of the House.
A copy of the text of the 1985 Intergovernmental Agreement has today been placed in the Library of the House.