HC Deb 20 December 1989 vol 164 c249W
Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether companies that are either partially or fully foreign owned will be allowed to bid for the management contract for the atomic weapons establishment.

Mr. Neubert

[holding answer 11 December 1989]: Bids will be invited for the management contract at AWE from United Kingdom-based prime contractors who are also able to satisfy United Kingdom national security requirements.

Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total amount of overtime that has been paid out at the atomic weapons establishment sites at(a) Aldermaston, (b) Burghfield, (c) Cardiff and (d) Foulness in each year for the last 10 years.

Mr. Neubert

[holding answer 18 December 1989]: The total amount of overtime paid out at the AWE sites during 1987–88 was:

AWE sites £ million
Aldermaston 6.5
Burghfield 0.8
Cardiff 0.6
Foulness 0.5

Figures for previous years on the same basis are not readily available.

Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the budget for the compliance director at the atomic weapons establishment will be the responsibility of the chief executive of that establishment.

Mr. Neubert

[holding answer 18 December 1989]: Financial arrangements for the compliance office will ensure its independence from the contractor.

Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the safety division of the atomic weapons establishment will be retained after the introduction of private contractors at the atomic weapons establishment.

Mr. Neubert

[holding answer 18 December 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 11 December at column 528.