§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what volumes of radioactive waste were generated in the research, manufacture, storage, maintenance and deployment of the WE177 nuclear bombs; what quantities of radioactive waste will be created in their decommissioning; what environmental measures are to be applied to their decommissioning; and where the residual radioactive waste and plutonium will be stored. [40778]
§ Dr. ReidThe WE177 free fall bomb programme started over 30 years go. Details of radioactive waste arising from the different phase of the programme were not recorded separately, and could be collated only at disproportionate cost.
Decommissioning of WE177 is being undertaken in accordance with all relevant environmental legislation and in line with the requirements of the appropriate regulatory bodies, principally the Environment Agency and the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate.
Any radioactive waste arising from this work will be disposed of via normal approved routes where these are available, and in accordance with certificates of authorisation issued by the Environment Agency; for example, suitable low level waste will be sent to BNFL Drigg. Other waste for which no disposal route is currently available will be stored safely and securely at AWE Aldermaston. Any plutonium will also be safely and securely held, though I must withhold details under Exemption 1 of the code of Practice on Access to Government Information relating to Defence, Security and International Relations.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence to which establishments WE177 bombs were taken for servicing; what the nature of such servicing entails; and how regularly this servicing was conducted. [40814]
§ Dr. ReidServicing was carried out by the Atomic Weapons Establishment as necessary to ensure the continued safety and reliability of WE177 whilst in service. I am withholding details as to the regularity and nature of servicing under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information relating to Defence, Security, and Internal Relations.