HC Deb 04 December 1989 vol 163 cc58-9W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many new posts will be required for the Ministry of Defence police under the proposed scheme to upgrade the perimeter fence at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment Aldermaston; and what is the cost, as estimated by his Department, of the provision of these posts;

(2) if he has recently reviewed security at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment Aldermaston;

(3) if he will make a statement regarding the proposed upgrading of the perimeter fence at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment Aldermaston, including the expected total cost of the scheme;

(4) what is the cost, as estimated by his Department, of building a new 7.5 km weld mesh fence around the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment Aldermaston;

(5) what is the cost, as estimated by his Department, of laying a patrol track between the present outer and proposed inner fences under the proposed scheme to upgrade the perimeter fence at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment Aldermaston; and what is the proposed surface material for this track;

(6) what is the cost, as estimated by his Department, of realigning the existing perimeter fence at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment Aldermaston to accommodate proposed improvements;

(7) what is the cost, as estimated by his Department, of the proposed new perimeter lighting system at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment Aldermaston;

(8) what is the cost, as estimated by his Department, of the proposed remote controlled closed circuit television system and its associated control room to be installed at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment Aldermaston;

(9) what is the cost, as estimated by his Department, of the proposed intruder detection system to be mounted on the inner fence at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment Aldermaston;

Mr. Neubert

Security at AWE is subject to regular review and it is not our policy to give details of operational security measures.

We have decided to upgrade the perimeter fence system at Aldermaston and are seeking proposals from industry for the following elements:

  1. 1. Realignment of the existing chain link fence where necessary.
  2. 2. A new inner fence around the 7.5km perimeter of weldmesh construction.
  3. 3. An intruder detection system mounted on the inner fence.
  4. 4. A new perimeter lighting system.
  5. 5. A CCTV surveillance system with remote control and monitoring room.
  6. 6. All associated services.
  7. 7. Steam main alterations and diversions.
  8. 8. Roadwork extensions and alterations.
  9. 9. A patrol track between the inner and outer fences.
  10. 10. Entrance gate modifications.
  11. 11. Modification of existing and provision of new MDP posts.
  12. 12. Undergrounding of SEB overhead 33KV line and diversion of 11KV underground cable.
It is not appropriate to disclose our cost estimates while tenders are being sought and any subsequently agreed price will, of course, be commercially confidential.

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