§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the incident that occurred at AWE Aldermaston recently involving a leak of uranium contaminated oil from a machine used for manufacturing weapons components.
§ Mr. AitkenDuring routine operations in a workshop at AWE Aldermaston, a small quantity of coolant spilled from a machine used for making weapons components. The coolant, which was contaminated with uranium from normal machining operations, was immediately contained and safely disposed of. There was no release of material beyond the immediate area surrounding the machine and no contamination of personnel occurred. There was no risk to the public or the environment from the incident.
679WIn the interests of safety the machine, and a small number of similar machines, were immediately isolated and taken out of service. Remedial action to remove the contaminated material to safe storage has now been completed. The Health and Safety Executive was informed about the incident and issued two prohibition notices. The machines concerned will not be brouġht back into use until the Health and Safety Executive is satisfied that adequate safety arrangements are in place.
§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the sludge solidification plant at AWE Aldermaston to become fully operational.
§ Mr. AitkenWe expect the plant to be fully operational in 1997.
§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the incident that occurred at AWE Aldermaston on 11 November in the liquid treatment plant.
§ Mr. AitkenDuring routine monitoring operations a higher than normal level of radioactive material was detected in a storage tank in the liquid effluent treatment plant, at AWE Aldermaston. The material has been disposed of in a safe and controlled manner, but as a precaution, employees and contractors' personnel were temporarily excluded from the immediate vicinity of the effluent plant. The remainder of the site continued to operate normally and there was no risk to personnel, the public or the environment.
§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he now expects red commissioning of the A90 plant at AWE Aldermaston to commence.
§ Mr. AitkenWhite commissioning is progressing well. I hope to be in a position to make an announcement on red commissioning in the next few months.
§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what form and quantity barium is used by the atomic weapons establishment, Aldermaston.
§ Mr. AitkenElemental barium is not used at AWE Aldermaston; varying quantities of barium compounds are used for experimental and analytical purposes.