Written question asked by Brian Jenkins (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 June 1997. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Thursday, 26 June 1997 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: Statement on when he expects the AWE sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield to be licensed under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965.

Answer: Mr. Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the AWE sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield to be licensed under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965. [6055] Mr. Spellar: I am pleased to announce that the Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations has granted a licence, effective from 1 July 1997, to the AWE management contractor Hunting-BRAE Ltd. to operate the AWE sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield. The two sites will thus be brought within the same regulatory regime as civil nuclear sites and will be regularly inspected by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate. This will provide independent assurance that nuclear-related activities at AWE are carried out safely and pose no threat to the workforce, the public or the environment.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 6055; 296 c627W;296 c629W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: AWE Licensing Nuclear power Safety Nuclear Installations Inspectorate Hunting-BRAE
Legislation: Nuclear Installations Act 1965