§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he now expects the A91 building at Aldermaston to be fully operational;
(2) what progress has been made in rectifying the problems with the pipework in the A91 building at Aldermaston; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he is now able to provide a full explanation of how contaminants were placed in the pipework of the A91 building at Aldermaston;
(4) what is the latest estimate of the total cost of rectifying problems in the A91 building at Aldermaston.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleThe corrosion problems in building A91 at AWE were discovered during commissioning using simulant materials. A detailed technical investigation into the cause and extent of the problems found that the corrosion resulted from attack by chloride in the commissioning material and naturally occurring microbes. The final report of the investigation has not yet been received and it is, therefore, too early to say what work is required to rectify the problems; the cost of such works; or to give an estimate of its completion date.