HC Deb 16 February 1995 vol 254 cc823-4W
Mr. Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff are employed in the atomic co-ordinating offices in London and Washington; and what are their civil service grades.

Mr. Freeman

The information requested is given in the table below:

Grade Number
Atomic control office (London)—(6 staff)
Senior Executive Officer 1
Executive Officer 1
Administrative Officer 2
Administrative Assistant 1
Atomic co-ordinating office (Washington)—(5 staff)
Unified Grade 6 1
Unified Grade 7 1
Executive Office 1
Administrative Officer 1
Personal Secretary 1

It should be noted that all staff employed in the atomic control office, London have additional duties as members of the assistant chief scientific adviser, nuclear's organisation.

Mr. Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the annual running costs of the atomic co-ordinating offices in London and Washington; and out of which budget they are taken.

Mr. Freeman

Running costs of the atomic co-ordinating office, Washington, are £300,000, under the budget of the vice-chief of the defence staff. Running costs of the atomic control office, London, fall within the assistant chief scientific adviser, nuclear's intermediate higher level budget, and are not separately identified.

Mr. Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role and function of the atomic co-ordinating offices in London and Washington.

Mr. Freeman

The staff of ACO(L) and the administrative staff of ACO(W) are responsible for the transmission of information, documents and material, arrangements of visits and submission of clearances as required by the 1958 United States/United Kingdom mutual defence agreement. Professional staff of ACO(W) represent UK interests in technical and procurement matters pertaining to the UK defence nuclear programme by liaison with the United States Department of Defence, Department of Energy, and their contractors.