HC Deb 27 January 1995 vol 253 cc448-9W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to conduct a defence diversification study for the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Cardiff; and if he will consult(a) the Welsh Development Agency, (b) South Glamorgan county council, (c) Cardiff city council and (d) Hunting-Brae Ltd. in this respect.

Mr. Freeman

Hunting-BRAE Ltd. will continue to seek suitable non-defence work which can be carried out at AWE Cardiff during the period up to 1997 alongside the Trident system. Once the work on Trident components is concluded, no other defence work can be directed to AWE Cardiff. My Department will be happy to consider any proposals for the use of the facility, including proposals from the bodies listed in the question.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will issue instructions to the management of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Cardiff, that it should utilise the remaining period of its activity to pursue diversification of the rare earth metals engineering expertise at the plant into civilian uses.

Mr. Freeman

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 26 January 1995,Official Report, column 293.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the possible alternative uses for the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Cardiff.

Mr. Freeman

Once the work on Trident components is completed, no other defence work can be given to AWE Cardiff. My Department is prepared to consider any proposals for alternative future uses of the site.