Maralinga Nuclear Test Site (Hansard, 11 November 1991)

§ Mr. Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his current estimate of the extent of plutonium contamination of the Maralinga site, resulting from the minor trials of British nuclear weapons.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The latest assessment of the extent of contamination of the Maralinga site is contained338W in the report by the technical assessment group entitled "Rehabilitation of Former Nuclear Test Sites in Australia" published by the Australian Department of Primary Industries and Energy in November 1990. I will arrange for a copy of this report to be placed in the Library of the House.

§ Mr. Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest assessment of the extent of radioactive contamination of the Maralinga site of the British nuclear bomb test; and what is his latest estimate of the cost of a clean up.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The latest assessment of the extent of contamination and cost of clean-up of the Maralinga site is contained in the report by the technical assessment group entitled "Rehabilitation of Former Nuclear Test Sites in Australia" published by the Australian Department of Primary Industries and Energy in November 1990. I will arrange for a copy of this report to be placed in the Library of the House.

§ Mr. Simon Hughes
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimates his Department has made of I he cost of decontamination of the Maralinga range, South Australia; what representations he has received on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Newport, (Mr. Flynn), on 5 November,Official Report, column 43, Estimates of the cost of options for rehabilitation of the former nuclear weapon test sites at Maralinga and Emu Field are set out in the report of the technical assessment group entitled "Rehabilitation of Former Nuclear Test Sites in Australia" published by the Australian Department of Primary Industries and Energy in November 1990. I will arrange for a copy of this report to be placed in the Library of the House.