Vol. 482 No. 3
39 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the proposed export of nuclear reactors by the United States to China; the contact, if any, he has had with the United States authorities in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18097/97]
I am aware of the recent media reports of a possible change in United States Government policy which would permit American companies to tender for nuclear power station contracts currently under consideration by the Government of China. However, I have not yet seen the details of any specific agreements on this subject that may have been concluded.
The Government's views on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and on the related issues of nuclear safety have been set out most recently in the statement made by my predecessor to the 52nd session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in September of this year: the Government's concern in respect of any trade in fissile material and related equipment is that it should not be diverted to non-peaceful uses.
China is a declared nuclear weapon state and a state party to the Treaty on the Non Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The Government has no information to indicate that China is other than in compliance with its obligations under that treaty which includes an undertaking by a nuclear weapon state party, "not to transfer to any recipient whatsoever nuclear weapons" . and "not to assist, encourage, or induce any non-nuclearweapon state to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices".
