§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State for Defence Procurement of 18 October,Official Report, column 240, when he expects AWE Aldermaston to obtain a safety licence.
§ Mr. Freeman[holding answer 1 November 1994]: Experience in the civil sector suggests that preparations for licensing, including the production of prescribed documentation for assessment by the nuclear installations inspectorate, takes some time. The picture in respect of the AWE will become clearer during the discussions with the regulatory bodies to which I referred during the defence debate on 18 October 1994, Official Report, column 240, and which are now in progress. I expect to be able to give an indication of the likely timescale before Easter next year.