Part 8

Security of Nuclear Industry

Prohibition of disclosures of uranium enrichment technology
80
1
This section applies to—
a
any information about the enrichment of uranium; or
b
any information or thing which is, or is likely to be, used in connection with the enrichment of uranium;
and for this purpose “the enrichment of uranium” means any treatment of uranium that increases the proportion of the isotope 235 contained in the uranium.
2
The Secretary of State may make regulations prohibiting the disclosure of information or things to which this section applies.
3
A person who contravenes a prohibition is guilty of an offence and liable—
a
on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years or a fine (or both); and
b
on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both).
4
The regulations may, in particular, provide for—
a
a prohibition to apply, or not to apply—
i
to such information or things; and
ii
in such cases or circumstances,
as may be prescribed;
b
the authorisation by the Secretary of State or the Office for Nuclear Regulation of disclosures that would otherwise be prohibited; and
c
defences to an offence under subsection (3) relating to any prohibition.
5
The regulations may—
a
provide for any prohibition to apply to acts done outside the United Kingdom by United Kingdom persons;
b
make different provision for different purposes; and
c
make such incidental, supplementary and transitional provision as the Secretary of State thinks fit.
6
The power to make the regulations is exercisable by statutory instrument.
7
The regulations shall not be made unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before and approved by each House of Parliament.
7A
The Secretary of State must consult the Office for Nuclear Regulation before laying a draft of the regulations, unless they give effect, without modification, to any proposals for them submitted by the Office for Nuclear Regulation under section 81(1)(a)(v) of the Energy Act 2013.
8
In this section—
- “disclosure”, in relation to a thing, includes parting with possession of it;
- “information” includes software; and
- “prescribed” means specified or described in the regulations.
S. 80(7A) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 33(3); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4
Words in s. 80(4)(b) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 33(2); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4