Written question asked by Alan Simpson (Labour) on Tuesday, 26 October 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 November 1999. It was answered by Peter Kilfoyle (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 November 1999 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence;Defence Procurement Agency

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if a decision has been reached on building the Dual Access Hydrodynamic Radiographic Test facility at Aldermaston; and if he will make a statement. - Text of letter from John Howe of Defence Procurement Agency.

Answer: Mr. Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if a decision has been reached on building the Dual Access Hydrodynamic Radiographic Test facility at Aldermaston; and if he will make a statement. [96426] Mr. Kilfoyle: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend. Letter from John Howe to Mr. Alan Simpson, dated 10 November 1999: I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking if a decision has been reached on building the DAHRT facility at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston and for a statement. The UK has had a dual axis radiography capability at AWE Aldermaston since 1995. Parts of the facility were purpose built but it also incorporates older equipment and infrastructure. A feasibility study for a new, multi axis, facility is being carried out by AWE at present but no decision has yet been made on whether or not it should be built. You used the term "DAHRT". The DARHT or Dual Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test Facility is an American facility under construction at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Secondary information