§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the exact role and function of(a) radiological protection advisory group staff and (b) operational health physicist staff, employed at AWE Aldermaston as referred to in the oral evidence to the Select Committee on Defence at HC 479 of Session 1989–90 Q. 10ff, p.2; and if he will list (i) the numbers of these staff employed at AWE Aldermaston in each year since 1970 and (ii) the shortfall in the numbers of these staff in each of those years.
§ Mr. AitkenThe role and function of AWE radiological protection advisory group staff is to provide advice and support in the areas of radiation dosimetry, radiological requirements for new and operating facilities, monitoring570W of the environment for radioactive materials, nuclear safety hazards assessments, and responses to radiological incidents.
The role and function of the AWE operational health physics staff is to provide advice on operational health physics aspects of the work undertaken at AWE and also to provide a comprehensive radiological monitoring service for all work undertaken at AWE. Details of the numbers of staff employed during the period 1970–1992 are not held in the form requested, and to provide them would require disproportionate time and cost. However, since the report by Sir Edward Pochin in 1978, the total number of radiological protection staff and health physicist staff has increased by a factor of three.
§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark), of 2 March,Official Report, column 111, if he will list the detailed actions identified by Sir Edward Pochin following his review of radiological health and safety at Aldermaston.
§ Mr. AitkenThe detailed actions to which I referred in my answer of 2 March were compiled by AWE—then AWRE—management as a result of the scrutiny of Sir Edward Pochin's report, rather than by Sir Edward Pochin himself. This was an internal management report which, in accordance with our usual practice, has not been released for publication.
§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) of 6 November,Official Report, column 530, whether the project definition study into the scope of work needed to overcome the corrosion problems of the A91 complex at Aldermaston is now complete; what is the estimated date he now expects A91 to be fully operational; and if he will place a copy of the A91 project definition study in the Library.
§ Mr. AitkenThe project definition study into the A91 corrosion problems has been completed. The study has identified a range of options and these are currently being evaluated. Until these options have been fully studied, it is not possible to give a forecast date for the facility to become fully operational. The project definition study report contains commercially sensitive information and it would not be appropriate for a copy to be placed in the Library.
§ 1987. Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on each of the(a) major injuries, (b) other injuries, (c) dangerous occurrences and (d) cases of disease, as defined in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985—SI, 1985, No. 2023—reported to the Health and Safety Executive by AWE Aldermaston during (a) 1976, (b) 1981, (c) 1984 and (d)
§ Mr. AitkenA total of 138 incidents for illness/injury and dangerous occurrences were reported to the Health and Safety Executive, as defined in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985, SI, 1985, No. 2023, by AWE Aldermaston in the years 1976, 1981, 1984 and 1987. Further details of these incidents are as follows: 1976—(a) major injuries (total three)—two fractured fibula; one fractured scafoid (b) other injuries (total 32)—10 falls; 571W four back injuries; seven hand injuries; three stepping on or striking objects; two falls of objects; one facial acid burn; one burns to hands; one dislocated knee; one eye injury; one hernia; one sports injury (c) dangerous occurrences (total one)—one contamination incident and (d) cases of disease (total nil). 1981—(a) major injuries (total four)—one fractured humerus; one fractured radius; two fractured bones (b) other injuries (total 32)—12 falls; eight back pain; five stepping on or striking objects; three road traffic accident; two sports; one fall of object; one handling (c) dangerous occurrences (total nil) and (d) cases of disease (total nil). 1984—(a) major injuries (total one)—one fractured shoulder (b) other injuries (total 22)—10 falls; three road traffic accidents; three back pain; one sports; one fatigue; one splinter in finger; two falls of objects; one cut from handtool (c) dangerous occurrences (total one)—one contamination incident and (d) cases of disease (total nil). 1987 (a)—major injuries (total three)—two fractured wrists; one fractured ribs (b) other injuries (total 38)—14 falls; nine back injuries; four handling; four sports; one fall of objects; two stepping on or striking objects; one eye injury; one handtool injury; one road traffic accident; one damaged ribs (c) dangerous occurrences (total one)—leakage from effluent pipeline and (d) cases of disease (total nil).