HC Deb 31 July 1998 vol 317 cc717-9W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Mathematical Physics 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. [53929]

Mr. Spellar

The Mathematical Physics Division at AWE Aldermaston has been in existence since the setting up of the then Atomic Weapons Research Establishment in the 1950s. Its purpose is to provide theoretical and computer models of nuclear weapons. The division produces two series of reports, which are:

  • Theoretical physics notes
  • Senior Superintendent Physics Division/USA.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 July 1998,Official Report, column 429, regarding AWE Aldermaston, if he will list the departments and divisions within the (a) assurance, (b) physics research, (c) programmes and(d) technology directorates. [53930]

Mr. Spellar

The departments and divisions within the(a) assurance, (b) physics research, (c) programmes and (d) technology directorates are respectively:

  1. (a) Safety, Environment, Health, Quality, Security, Operations and Assurance Services.
  2. (b) Hydrodynamics, Radiation Physics and Design Mathematics and Seismology.
  3. (c) Research Co-ordination, Corporate Systems, Strategy Development and Strategy Co-ordination.
  4. (d) The Technology Directorate has the following Business areas—Explosives, Chemistry, Nuclear Materials, Plutonium and Highly Enriched Uranium, Waste Management, Engineering Workshops and Metallic Materials, Burghfield Group Facility and Quality Control.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress being made towards completing the A91 liquid waste treatment plant at AWE Aldermaston. [54088]

Mr. Spellar

The A91 facility is currently in the final stages of inactive commissioning. The building is currently expected to become operational by the end of 1999.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress being made towards decontaminating the north ponds area of AWE Aldermaston. [54087]

Mr. Spellar

One of the North Ponds has been decontaminated and decommissioned. An extensive new water management system, which will allow the decontamination of the other ponds to be carried out, is currently being built on the site. The new water management system is now nearing completion and is expected to be in use in early 1999.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the stated running costs of the atomic weapons establishments of £302 million in 1997–98 includes all staff costs and management fees to Hunting-BRAE Ltd. [53762]

Mr. Spellar

Yes.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the amounts paid to Hunting-BRAE in each of the last five years for administering and managing the atomic weapons establishments. [53763]

Mr. George Robertson

Payments to Hunting-BRAE are commercially confidential and I am, therefore, withholding this information under Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information relating to Third Party commercial confidences. My hon. Friend will, however, find a general breakdown of costs for the nuclear warhead programme for financial year 1997–98 in the Strategic Defence Review White Paper Supporting Essay Five, Figure 5, which shows that the total running costs of AWE in 1997–98 were £302 million.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reduction in radioactive emissions from AWE Aldermaston would follow from an end to production. [54448]

Mr. Spellar

Activities such as decommissioning and maintaining safety standards within facilities make up by far the largest proportion of discharges from AWE Aldermaston. Were production of nuclear warheads to cease, there would, therefore, be a minimal effect on emissions from the site.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what environmental assessment of toxic and radioactive contamination levels present in the soil at AWE(a) Aldermaston, (b) Burghfield, (c) Cardiff and (d) Foulness has been conducted; and if he will place a copy of each such assessment in the Library; [54086]

(2) what estimate he has made of the number of additional nuclear waste stores, and of what cubic capacity required at AWE Aldermaston up to 2020 (a) to meet future arisings and (b) to replace those stores which do not meet regulatory requirements; [54091]

(3) if he will list the amount spent meeting all the requirements of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate at the Atomic Weapons Establishments at (a) Aldermaston and (b) Burghfield in each of the last five years; and how much he expects to spend at each in total; [54092]

(4) if he will place in the Library a copy of the Atomic Weapons Establishment's Waste Management and Decommissioning Strategy; and if he will make a statement; [54090]

(5) how many buildings are currently in use for storing radioactive waste at AWE Aldermaston. [54085]

Mr. Spellar

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.