§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the resumption of work in the plutonium areas of the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston.
§ Mr. MulleyFollowing acceptance of the report and recommendations by Sir Edward Pochin, planning for the remedial measures necessary for a resumption of work in the plutonium areas at AWRE has now been completed. The staff associations and trade unions concerned have been fully involved in discussions of the detailed aspects of what will be involved in a return to work, and there is agreement on the overall framework of safety conditions appropriate to the active area. Work can accordingly be resumed on a zone-by-zone basis starting on Monday 12 February. Training standards for personnel in active areas are being revised, and as I announced in my answer to the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Mitchell) on 21 November 1978—[Vol. 958, c.528–30.]—the Health and Safety Executive will in future inspect all AWRE buildings.