§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what research his Department has 125W commissioned into the use of neutron beam detector systems in relation to airport security; what level of funding is being allocated to this work; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how many companies have been invited to tender for the supply of neutron beam detectors for airport security use; when such tenders were invited; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley[holding answer, 13 January 1989]: Development work on using the thermal neutron activation analysis technique for detecting explosives is taking place both in the United States of America and this country (at Harwell). The technique employs large neutron sources, and this raises considerable radiation protection problems. In both countries the results of tests carried out under laboratory conditions were encouraging, and prototypes are now being tested to establish reliablility and suitability for searching baggage under operational conditions. The United States prototypes have been more extensively tested. They have been on trial at San Francisco airport and the FAA has recently ordered five production models. We and the United States authorities maintain close liaison on such matters.
£ million 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 (to date) 1989–90 (planned) UNICEF, General Resources 6.3 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0 UNICEF, Supplementary funded projects 1.338 6.570 8.223 1.880 1— Save the Children Fund, Joint Funding Scheme 0.675 0.905 1.045 1.925 1— Save the Children Fund, Supplementary grants 7.958 1.718 4.787 n/a 1— 1 To be decided.