HC Deb 17 December 1980 vol 996 cc204-5W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in filling vacancies in health physics posts at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston.

Mr. Hayhoe

Significant progress has been made in the filling of vacancies in health physics posts at AWRE, Aldermaston, since my reply on 4 June 1980.—[Vol. 985, c.737–38.]

The approved establishment of health physicists at or above the grade of higher scientific officer or equivalent remains at 38. The number in post has risen to 24, compared with 19 in June and the figure of seven given in the Pochin report. In addition to the 24 in post, three officers have accepted offers of appointment and will commence duty in the near future; a further six officers are being processed.

The overall manning of health physics posts including supervisors and surveyors has now reached 108, of which a number are still under training. This compares with a figure of 97 in June, and with 43 at the time of the Pochin inquiry.

Vigorous efforts continue to be made both to replace wastage and to bring the number up to the approved complement.