Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001

80 Prohibition of disclosures of uranium enrichment technology U.K.

(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 [F1 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.

[F2 (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.

Textual Amendments

F1 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

F2 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