Second quarter of 2000

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UK Government "Concerned" about the US-Russian MOX Plan

From UK Parliament Question and Answer Session
Tuesday, 20 June 2000

[Posted 23/06/2000]

Mr. Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):
Does the Minister agree that while welcoming any Russian initiatives to bring about nuclear disarmament, we do not support Russia's plans to re-use plutonium taken from warheads to make so-called MOX nuclear fuel? Does the Minister agree that that would be both dangerous and environmentally damaging?

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Peter Hain):
Yes, indeed. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend's long and close expert interest in this matter. We remain very concerned about the use to which nuclear material is put in Russia, because a huge amount of it is available. It is important to world peace that the use of such material is properly monitored and regulated.

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