HC Deb 30 July 1998 vol 317 c446W
Mr. Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on decommissioning operations at(a) AWE, Foulness and (b) AWE, Cardiff. [52158]

Mr. Spellar

Although AWE vacated the Foulness site in December 1997, trials work has continued in support of the nuclear warhead programme via a contractual arrangement between AWE and the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, DERA. In addition, a number of existing facilities are being retained until the 31 March 2002 on a care and maintenance basis for use in those trials, and against possible future requirements by AWE. A programme of Post-Operative Clear Out, limited decommissioning and demolition was carried out by AWE prior to December 1997. A Land Quality Statement has been lodged with DERA against which future decommissioning of the rest of the site will be done.

A price has recently been agreed with AWE plc for the decommissioning of the Cardiff site.