RADIOACTIVE DISCHARGES,NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION,THE UNCLOS TRIBUNAL AND THE ENERGY MINISTER'S VISIT TO JAPAN

Early day motion 1843, tabled 29 October 2003 by David Chaytor (Labour). Signed by 45 members.

That this House notes the interim decision on 24th June, by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Tribunal, that the United Kingdom Government 'should ensure that no action is taken which might aggravate or extend' the dispute with the Irish Government in respect of radioactive discharges into the Irish Sea; recognises that the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel and the subsequent manufacture of MOX fuel are responsible for almost all of the United Kingdom's marine radioactive discharges; further recognises that the international trade in plutonium is a direct contributor to nuclear proliferation and constitutes an unacceptable terrorist risk; believes that any action designed to prolong or expand the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel and the manufacture of MOX would be in breach of the UNCLOS Tribunal's interim decision; and, therefore, calls on the Government to avoid any discussion or negotiation with third parties in respect of further contracts for reprocessing of spent fuel and MOX manufacture pending the final decision of the UNCLOS Tribunal.

Signatures by party: Labour 26, Liberal Democrat 14, Plaid Cymru 3, Labour/Co-operative 1, Scottish National Party 1.