HC Deb 21 June 2002 vol 387 cc600-1W
Mr. Salter

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the documents pertaining to future development of the atomic weapons establishments from the time the current management took over to date. [63450]

Dr. Moonie

Yes.

Mr. Salter

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if employees(a)of the atomic weapons establishments and (b)from his Department (i) have had involvement in, (ii) are involved in and (iii) are intended to be involved in the advanced warhead concept teams being established by the US nuclear weapons laboratories. [63454]

Dr. Moonie

Exchanges of information between the United Kingdom and US on nuclear weapon matters take place only under the auspices of the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement. In particular, employees of the Ministry of Defence and AWE Management Ltd. Participate in the Joint UK/US Working Groups that meet regularly to discuss and exchange technical information. Details of their discussions are withheld under Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on access to Government Information.

Mr. Salter

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list construction and engineering projects at the atomic weapons establishments scheduled to begin over the next 12 months, with their estimated cost. [63455]

Dr. Moonie

With the exception of routine minor works in support of operations (at a cost of around £10 million a year), no construction and engineering projects are currently expected to progress beyond project requirement definition in the next 12 months. My hon. Friend may wish to note in this context that the widely publicised high performance computer, which AWE have purchase to support the science-based programme, is being commissioned in an existing building.

Mr. Salter

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list construction and engineering projects under way at AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield, and their estimated cost. [63449]

Dr. Moonie

With the exception of routine minor works in support of operations (at a cost of around £10 million a year), no construction and engineering projects are currently underway at these sites.