JAPAN'S DEFERRAL OF PLANS TO BUILD NEW NUCLEAR REACTORS

EDM number 666 in 1993-94, proposed by Simon Hughes on 23/02/1994.

That this House notes the editorial in the New York Times of 23rd February welcoming the Japanese decision to defer long range plans to build new nuclear reactors because of the growing world glut of plutonium; recognises the positive effects that this decision could bring, in that Japan could stop shipping weapons grade plutonium home from Europe, thereby reducing the risk of theft or diversion; agrees that there are important implications for Japan in renegotiating contracts with Britain and France since their reduced need for plutonium makes reprocessing plants even more unprofitable; and calls upon the Government to take note of the implications for THORP's viability and to take appropriate action by reversing its recent decision to start up the plant.

This motion has been signed by a total of 31 MPs.