§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state in relation to his Department's establishment at Burghfield, Berkshire(a) its purpose, (b) its Ordnance Survey map reference, (c) the number of people employed, and (d) the safety arrangements in operation for the protection of both workers and people living around it.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Burghfield is involved in the British nuclear weapons procurement programme. Its Ordnance Survey reference is SU675680. For reasons of national security, it is not our policy to disclose either the number of staff employed at the site or the safety arrangements in operation. I can, however, assure the hon. Gentleman that rigorous health and safety arrangements exist to protect both employees at the establishment and members of the public.