§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence, (1) whether new provisions for handling radioactive waste at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston, are to be built; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether a new nuclear weapons complex is to be built at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PattieAs the House has been told in previous statements the Department's plans provide for a comprehensive programme of replacement and improvement of existing but ageing capital facilities at Aldermaston over the next decade to maintain the effectiveness of the British nuclear deterrent and ensure essential health and safety standards. These will include a new plutonium processing facility and associated modern waste handling plant.
§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is intended to build a new liquid waste treatment facility at the Atomic Weapons 43W Research Establishment, Aldermaston with the plutonium-contaminated liquid waste being discharged into the Thames at Pangbourne.
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§ Mr. PattieThe functions of the new liquid waste plant will be to ensure, inter alia, that no contaminated waste is discharged in the manner suggested.