§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the health and safety record of nuclear-related plants managed by Lockheed Martin in the USA; and if they have incurred fines or had plants closed for health and safety reasons by the Department of Energy. [101863]
§ Mr. HoonThe health and safety record of a US contractor operating under a US regulatory regime is a matter for the US authorities. I can confirm that the AWE Management Limited consortium, which will operate the Atomic Weapons Establishment from 1 April 2000 and of which Lockheed Martin is a member, will be subject to strict supervision by the Ministry of Defence and close regulation by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate.