Written question asked by Lord Taylor of Goss Moor (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 17 June 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 June 1998. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Monday, 29 June 1998 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which contractors and Ministry of Defence organisations designed each variant of the WE177 weapon; and when this work was carried out.

Answer: Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which contractors and Ministry of Defence organisations designed each variant of the WE177 weapon; and when this work was carried out. [46825] Mr. Spellar: Design work for WE177 was started over 30 years ago with the design for the first variant completed in 1963, the second in 1965, and the last in 1972. The co-ordinating design authority for all WE177 variants was Hunting Engineering, with the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment as design authority for the warhead element. The Royal Ordnance Factories at Burghfield, Cardiff and Chorley, RAF Farnborough, and RARDE Fort Halstead assisted in the work, as did a number of other contractors. Given the age of the programme it has not been possible to compile a full and accurate list.

Secondary information