§ 15. Mr. David Rendel. (Newbury)What reduction will take place in the number of safety-related jobs at AWE Aldermaston and AWE Burghfield during the 12 months from 1 April. [117894]
§ The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Geoffrey Hoon)In the event that the contractor's proposals lead to a reduction in the number of safety-related jobs, the contractor will need the separate approval of the independent regulators—the nuclear installations inspectorate and the Environment Agency—and of the Ministry of Defence compliance office. Neither the 690 Ministry of Defence nor either of the agencies will give its approval if it judges that the changes will have an adverse impact on safety standards.
§ Mr. RendelThe Secretary of State does not appear to know how safety will be managed over the next year at AWE. What on earth were the Government doing handing over AWE to two firms like BNFL and Lockheed Martin, which have such appalling safety records, if he does not even know how they will manage safety?
§ Mr. HoonI have just made it clear in my answer to the hon. Gentleman that we monitor safety standards, and that any change in safety standards or in the number of personnel will have to be considered carefully both by the Department and by the two agencies in the light of its effect on safety. Before the initial bids for managing AWE were considered, any bidder had to satisfy safety criteria involving 28 separate components, 20 of which were regarded as crucial to the process. Not only did the successful contractor meet those criteria, but theirs was the best of the three bids in that area.
§ Madam SpeakerDoes the hon. Lady want to ask a question now?
§ Miss McIntoshNo.