andMr. Quinn asked the Minister for Energy the known supplies of uranium throughout the world with particular reference to the percentage of supplies located in different states and the cost of uranium in 1960, 1970 and 1980.

As part of the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose to have the reply circulated with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

It is difficult to be precise about world uranium resources because the USSR, East European countries and the People's Republic of China do not publish data. Best estimates suggest that approximately 75 per cent of uranium resources are located in the western world and 25 per cent in the Eastern bloc.

The best available information suggests that the total resources in the Western world and their distribution—distinguishing between resources which are "reasonably assured" and "estimated additional"—are as follows—

Because of the nature of the market, it is difficult to give precise information in regard to prices. The best available data suggests that the average price of yellow-cake (U 308) in the fifties was 11 US dollars per lb., that the price fell to significantly lower levels in the sixties when production exceeded demand, dropped to less than 5 US dollars per lb. in 1972 but began to increase with the advent of substantially higher oil prices late in 1973 and reached a figure of 38 US dollars per lb. in 1980.

Could the Minister give any idea of the percentage increase in the cost?

It is not the custom to ask questions——

Could the Minister tell the House if this country features in the table?

No, it does not.