Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour) on Wednesday, 31 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 April 2004. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Monday, 19 April 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what developments have taken place in respect of the proposals made on 11th March to alter the contingent liability arrangements covering the submarine reactor fuel core factory and Neptune test reactor; and if he will place in the Library the new documentation produced on this matter.

Answer: Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what developments have taken place in respect of the proposals made on 11 March to alter the contingent liability arrangements covering the submarine reactor fuel core factory and Neptune test reactor; and if he will place in the Library the new documentation produced on this matter. [166038] Mr. Ingram: No objections were raised against the contingent liability arising from non-insurance that was proposed in the Departmental Minute dated 11 March 2004. The Rolls-Royce Core Factory and Neptune facility continue to be fully covered by commercial third party nuclear insurance. When the commercial insurance ends in 2005, the facilities should then be indemnified by the Crown by means of clauses within procurement contracts for submarine reactor fuel and related services. The contracts include details of sensitive nuclear materials and industrial processes and I am withholding them in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (which relates to defence, security and international relations).

Secondary information