Atomic Weapons Research Establishment (Burghfield) (Hansard, 14 December 1988)

§ Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what materials were being disposed of at the atomic weapons research establishment, Burghfield, on the morning of 2 December;

(2) what distance the area being used to dispose of explosive materials at the atomic weapons research establishment, Burghfield, on the morning of 2 December was from: (a) work places at the atomic weapons research establishment, Burghfield, (b) any surrounding buildings and (c) areas accessible to the public;

(3) what surface explosive material was being burnt at the atomic weapons research establishment, Burghfield, on the morning of 2 December;

(4) how the explosive materials being disposed of at the atomic weapons research establishment, Burghfield, on the morning of 2 December were ignited;

(5) if the site used for disposal of explosive materials at the atomic weapons research establishment, Burghfield, on the morning of 2 December has a water supply with sufficient stand pipes and hoses to allow access to all areas; and if he will specify any other means of extinguishing fires that were present at the disposal site;

(6) if the site used for disposal of explosive materials at the atomic weapons research establishment, Burghfield, on the morning of 2 December (a) was fenced to prevent inadvertant entry and (b) had a red flag displayed to indicate disposal taking place;

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(7) how many entrances there are to the site for the disposal of explosive materials at the atomic weapons research establishment, Burghfield, on the morning of 2 December:

(8) what protective clothing and other safety equipment was issued for the use of burning site operators at the site used for the disposal of explosive materials at the atomic weapons research establishment, Burghfield, on the morning of 2 December;

(9) what type of log was kept of disposal operations at the atomic weapons research establishment, Burghfield, on the morning of 2 December; and what details it contains;

(10) why the disposal of explosive materials at the atomic weapons research establishment, Burghfield, on the morning of 2 December took place in the hours of darkness;

(11) if the explosives disposal site at the atomic weapons establishment, Burghfield, is licensed by any organisation outside his Department.