HC Deb 31 January 1989 vol 146 c152W
Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what quantities of(a) beryllium and (b) depleted uranium are stored at the Royal Ordnance factory Caerweni at Llanishen, Cardiff; and what safety measures are implemented to stop radioactive contamination of surrounding land areas and water supplies.

Mr. Sainsbury

It is not the policy of the Ministry of Defence to reveal the amounts of nuclear, radioactive and other associated materials held at defence establishments including the atomic weapons establishment at Cardif (AWE (Cardiff)) (formerly the Royal Ordnance factory, Cardiff).

All work involving radioactive and toxic materials is undertaken in facilities which are designed and built to ensure a safe working environment and to protect other workers, the general public and the environment against any potential hazard. Residual radioactive and beryllium wastes are treated before discharge. The airborne discharges are continuously monitored; liquids are collected and each batch monitored prior to discharge. The total amounts discharged are very small. Monitoring outside the buildings involved does not indicate any significant level of dispersed materials. The radiation doses from these discharges are assessed to be negligible, less than one thousandth of the annual United Kingdom dose limit for members of the public.

We are therefore confident that the storage of quantities of both beryllium and depleted uraniaum held at AWE (Cardiff) does not pose any danger to the work force or the public.