Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what documents he has sent to the firms that have expressed an interest in bidding for the initial management contract at the atomic weapons establishment.
§ Mr. NeubertPotential contractors have been sent copies of the statement made in the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 5 December, and of the consultative document to which that statement referred. They will shortly receive the invitation to tender.
§ Mr. Martin O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the shortfalls of staff were at each of the four atomic weapons establishments at the end of each year between 1980 and 1987.
§ Mr. NeubertAWE shortfalls at the end of 1987 will equate to those given for 1 January 1988 in the answer which I provided to the hon. Member on 17 January 1990 at column300. Details of staff shortfalls before the amalgamation of AWRE and the nuclear royal ordnance factories on 1 September 1987 are not readily available.
§ Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make a decision about the detailed relationship between the existing safety division and the proposed compliance office at the atomic weapons establishment.
§ Mr. NeubertThe detailed relationship between the compliance office and the existing safety division at AWE will be finalised before the commencement of the initial management contract, planned for later this year.
§ Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will make a decision about what financial criteria will be used to monitor the performance of the management contractors to be appointed at the atomic weapons establishment.
§ Mr. NeubertThe criteria against which the management contractor's performance is to be assessed will be included in the invitation to tender, which is now being finalised for issue shortly.