§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the United Kingdom organisations which have been engaged to assist with the cleansing of the Maralinga site, with reference to the exchange of notes between Her Majesty's Government and the Federal Government of Australia concerning the former United Kingdom nuclear test and experimental programme sites at Maralinga, the Monte Bello islands and Emu field, Cm. 2533; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesThe clean-up operation at the Maralinga site, and the appointment of organisations involved in it, are matters for the Australian Government. However, the Atomic Energy Authority Harwell has been retained by the Australian Government to act as health and safety advisors for the duration of the rehabilitation project.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent information Her Majesty's Government have received from the Federal Government of Australia regarding the implementation of the cleansing programme at the Maralinga site, with reference to the exchange of notes between Her Majesty's Government and the Federal Government of Australia concerning the former United Kingdom nuclear test and experimental programme sites at Maralinga, the Monte Bello islands and Emu field, Cm. 2533; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesWe understand that preliminary discussions have taken place regarding the appointment of British contractors.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been paid so far to the Government of Australia in relation to the cleaning up of the Maralinga test site under the exchange of notes between Her Majesty's Government and the Federal Government of Australia concerning the former United Kingdom nuclear test and experimental programme sites at Maralinga, the Monte Bello islands and Emu field, Cm. 2533; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesAn initial payment of £5,000,000 was made to the Australian Government in December 1993; 1117W £4,000,000 was paid in October 1994, leaving a balance of £11,000,000 to be paid in accordance with the exchange of notes.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the cleansing operation at the Maralinga site to be completed under the exchange of notes between Her Majesty's Government and the Federal Government of Australia concerning the former United Kingdom nuclear test and experimental programme sites at Maralinga, the Monte Bello islands and Emu field, Cm. 2533; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesThat is a matter for the Australian Government.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what visits officials have recently paid to inspect the cleansing operation at the Maralinga site; if such officials and their federal Government counterparts have held discussions with representatives of the Aboriginal people living in the area in relation to the exchange of notes between Her Majesty's Government and the Federal Government of Australia concerning the former United Kingdom nuclear test and experimental programme sites at Maralinga, the Monte Bello islands and Emu field, Cm. 2533; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesThere have been no such visits or discussions by my officials. Both the operation itself and any discussions with representatives of the Aboriginal people are matters for the Australian Government.