§ 2.37 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT CALDECOTEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether sufficient supplies of enriched 950 uranium are likely to be available to meet United Kingdom needs.]
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND MINISTER FOR SCIENCE (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)My Lords, supplies of enriched uranium available for the United Kingdom programme are now such that some reduction can be made in the output of the Atomic Energy Authority's diffusion plant at Capenhurst, and Her Majesty's Government have decided on this course. The Capenhurst plant, which is in Cheshire, started operations in 1953, and produces enriched uranium for military purposes and for civil research and development. I must make it plain that supplies are fully adequate for the current nuclear deterrent policy, which has not changed. The numbers employed at the plant will fall by some 500 by about the end of this year. Some of the staff reductions will be achieved by wastage and redeployment but some redundancy will be unavoidable. The greatest possible warning will be given to those concerned and every effort will be made to assist them in finding alternative employment. The Authority will immediately discuss these matters with the staff associations and trade unions concerned.
§ VISCOUNT CALDECOTEMy Lords, I thank the noble Viscount for that reply. Can he say whether, in view of the possible change of requirements of the civil atomic energy programme, the supplies of enriched uranium will be adequate for years to come?
§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMOh, yes.