§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the chemical technology division at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, was set up; what is the purpose of this division; how many series of technical papers or reports are currently being produced by this division; and what are the names of each series. [24509]
§ Mr. SpellarThe chemical technology division of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, was set up in about 1959. It ceased to exist as a separate division in 1991. Its purpose was to develop materials for use in warheads, to conduct research into the chemical properties of such materials and to design chemical engineering processes for their manufacture. It also operated certain associated chemical plant. During its existence two largely classified series of reports were produced dealing with materials and technical matters entitled, (i) Reports/ Laboratory Reports/Materials Reports and (ii) Technical Memoranda 1959–90.