HC Deb 25 October 1995 vol 264 cc671-2W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Department's letter of 4 September, what factors led to his Department making available in the Vote Office copies of CM 2920, "The Atomic Weapons Establishment-Contractual Indemnities", on 14 August. [39259]

Mr. Arbuthnot

On 6 July, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence laid a departmental minute before the House seeking its approval for certain indemnification arrangements in respect of the Atomic Weapons Establishment. In such a case, if no objections are raised during the ensuing 14 days, it is normal procedure for parliamentary approval to be assumed. Accordingly, CM 2920, which describes the arrangements, was published by HMSO on 14 August.