§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the safety performance of atomic weapons research establishment Aldermaston in the last calendar year. [73022]
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§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 25 February 1999]Safety is of prime importance to all involved in the operation of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, AWE, Aldermaston. The AWE operating contractor, Hunting BRAE, publishes an annual report entitled "Environment, Safety and Health", which includes information on safety performance and the activities that are undertaken at Aldermaston to ensure that safety requirements are met. The 1998 Report is due to be published, as normal, early in the summer. This public report is underpinned by regular internal audits conducted by the contractor.
The Ministry of Defence on site Compliance Officer conducts regular confidential assessments of AWE' s activities and was satisfied that they met the requirements of the Term Contract. Additionally independent assurance of the safety of AWE is provided by the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate NII. Aldermaston was awarded a licence to operate by the NII for the first time in July 1997. Maintenance of the licence is subject to the licensee's satisfying the licence conditions in the face of the NII' s rigorous inspection regime.