§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 19 April 2004,Official Report, column 339W, on nuclear contingent liability arrangements, what criteria he used to determine what constituted an objection. [171120]
§ Mr. IngramThe ways in which a Member of Parliament can object to a contingent liability are as detailed in Government Accounting 2000 Paragraph 26.4.7.
§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the importance of nuclear deterrence as a military strategy in the war against terrorism. [170212]
§ Mr. HoonI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 January 2004,Official Report, column 577W, to the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson).
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many NSQEP personnel in the UK are able to maintain the UK's nuclear weapons and naval nuclear reactors; what their age profile is; what their names are; and if he will make a statement; [170323]
(2) what estimate he has made of the adequacy of the supply of people suitably qualified and experienced to maintain (a) the UK's nuclear weapons and (b) the Royal Navy nuclear reactors; what steps the Government is taking to secure the supply of people with such qualifications; and if he will make a statement. [170354]
§ Mr. IngramIn the United Kingdom, there are some 10,000 (as at December 2002) Nuclear Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel (NSQEP) who are able to support the MOD's nuclear weapon and nuclear propulsion programmes. Personal details of these individuals are not held centrally in the MOD. However, the number of shore-based NSQEP employed by the MOD in support of these programmes is some 1,400. Their average age is 49.
Throughout 2002 the MOD's NSQEP Head of Profession actively participated in a cross-Government Department Nuclear and Radiological Skills study that provided an estimate of the adequacy of personnel to support the UK's nuclear and radiological sector. The report identified that while there is no immediate overall general cause for concern, there are a number of shortages in some disciplines. There are, however, concerns about the general age profile and the supply of suitably qualified and experienced personnel to replace those who retire over the next 15 years. One aspect of the Government response to the Nuclear and Radiological Skills study, in line with the Government Skills Strategy, was the development and licensing, in March 2004, of a Sector Skills Council for the UK's nuclear sector. The MOD's NSQEP Head of Profession co-ordinates Defence Nuclear skills interests at the Industry Nuclear Skills Group and engages closely with the Sector Skills Council.
131W
§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on safety reviews conducted on nuclear submarines. [171000]
§ Mr. IngramSafety reviews on nuclear submarines are conducted routinely at several levels in accordance with rigorous and well-rehearsed procedures. Prior to sailing, rigorous checks are undertaken to validate all aspects of a vessel's seaworthiness. Regular safety reviews, that comply fully with legal requirements, are also carried out on board to ensure the material state of the submarine is monitored and maintained.
§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on research and development of low yield nuclear weapons in the UK. [170211]
§ Mr. IngramNo such research or development is being undertaken.
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated cost is of(a) designing and (b) manufacturing a new nuclear warhead; and if he will make a statement. [170337]
§ Mr. HoonThe December 2003 Defence White Paper clearly stated the Government's position that decisions on whether to replace Trident are likely to be required in the next Parliament. The costs of the design and manufacture of any nuclear warhead would depend on a range of factors, and these will be considered as part of any such decision.
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the age profile is of the staff of(a) his Department's Chief Scientific Advisor and (b) the maintenance contractor SERCO who possess the qualifications necessary to (i) maintain the design intent of the current nuclear warheads and (ii) design the next generation of warheads; and if he will make a statement. [170338]
§ Mr. IngramThere are several staff working in the Chief Scientific Adviser's area in support of, and providing advice on the nuclear weapons programme, a number of whom have previously worked at AWE. However, with the exception of one AWE secondee, they are not "qualified" to conduct nuclear warhead design work, since only AWE plc, the design authority under the contract, can "qualify" people to undertake such work.
MOD's contract for the management and operation of AWE sites is with AWE Management Limited (AWE ML), a consortium of three equal partners, including SERCO. Responsibility for the day-to-day management of AWE sites is delegated to a separate company, AWE plc, which is owned by AWE ML.
It is not possible to categorise the capabilities of qualified AWE plc personnel in the way requested. However, the following table provides data on those AWE plc employees engaged in maintaining the relevant research and development capabilities who are formally qualified to degree level and above.
132W
Age range Percentage age of total formally qualified and employed in R and D Numbers employed in R and D who are qualified to degree level and above 20 to 30 26 212 31 to 40 34 282 41 to 50 23 194 51 to 60 15 121 60 plus 2 21 Total 100 830