HC Deb 30 October 1990 vol 178 cc500-1W
41. Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to safety and security arrangements in plants in the United Kingdom which produce beryllium oxide gas in connection with his Department's weapons production programme.

79. Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to safety and security arrangements in plants in the United Kingdom which produce beryllium oxide gas in connection with his Department's weapons production programme.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

None. Beryllium oxide is an extremely stable material which is used commercially as a protective coating for metals exposed to very high temperatures. It is not used, however, in the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons programme.