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Back to Proliferation in Parliament, Summer 2009
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the planned lifespan is of the existing generation of Trident missile warheads; what recent consideration he has given to the practicability of extending that lifespan; and if he will estimate the likely savings to the public purse of undertaking such an extension instead of procuring a replacement system.
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The UK’s existing nuclear warhead design is likely
to last into the 2020s, although we do not yet have sufficient information to
judge precisely how long we can retain it in service. We are currently undertaking
detailed studies to assess this and potential options for replacement should
that be necessary. It is too soon to estimate the precise timing and the potential
costs of any options beyond the £2-3 billion estimate, at 2006-07 prices, given
in the 2006 Defence White Paper.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/
cm090708/text/90708w0002.htm#09070885000025
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 20 March 2009, Official Report, column 1344W, on USA: military alliances, on what date and at which location the June 2009 Stocktake meeting between the Government and the US administration under the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement is scheduled to take place; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the programme for the meeting.
Mr. Quentin Davies: The 33rd meeting of the UK/US Stocktake was held in the Ministry of Defence, Main Building, Whitehall, London on Tuesday 9 June. The programme comprised discussions on nuclear threat reduction, warhead, and platform issues, together with a consideration of potential future exchanges.
I am withholding a copy of the programme for the purpose of safeguarding national
security.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/
cm090624/text/90624w0005.htm#090624125000061
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with which (a) universities and (b) other institutions the Atomic Weapons Establishment has developed strategic alliances.
Mr. Quentin Davies: As part of its Corporate Technical Outreach programme, AWE plc has strategic alliances with the following four universities: Heriot-Watt, Cranfield, Cambridge and Imperial College. AWE plc does not have strategic alliances with other institutions.
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which (a) university departments and (b) other institutions receive research funding from the Atomic Weapons Establishment.
Mr. Quentin Davies: As part of its Corporate Technical Outreach programme, AWE plc has a number of commercial research contracts with various universities and institutions. These contracts are bound by commercial confidentiality agreements comparable with other commercial arrangements and are between AWE plc and its suppliers, not the Ministry of Defence. I am withholding this information as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.
22 Jun 2009 : Column 621W
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the Atomic Weapons Establishment's Five Year Strategic Plan.
Mr. Quentin Davies: The document in question, entitled “AWE Strategic
Plan 2008” is an internal AWE plc document. I am therefore unable to place a
copy of this document in the Library of the House.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/
cm090622/text/90622w0014.htm#09062234000009
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what quantities of (a) intermediate and (b) low level radioactive waste are held at the Atomic Weapons Establishment.
Mr. Quentin Davies: The quantity of intermediate level radioactive waste
currently held at the Atomic Weapons Establishment is 4,095 cu m. The quantity
of low level radioactive waste currently held there is 680 cu m.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/
cm090618/text/90618w0010.htm#09061888000010
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the expenditure incurred at the Atomic Weapons Establishment of £800 million in 2008-09, £900 million in 2009-10 and £950 million in 2010-11 is additional to (a) the capital cost of warheads included in the Defence White Paper, (b) the £5.3 billion 25 year AWEML and management contract, (c) the running costs of the current Trident programme and (d) settlements made under the Comprehensive Spending Review.
Mr. Hutton: The figure of £5.3 billion was the estimated 25-year management and operation costs produced when the AWE Management and Operation contract was extended to a 25 year term. This was published on 22 January 2003, Official Report, column 14WS. Since 1 April 2008 the financial planning for AWE has made no distinction between these costs and additional investment associated with the Nuclear Warhead Capability Sustainment Programme (NWCSP), which was announced on 19 July 2005, Official Report, column 59WS. The figures of £800, £900 and £950 million quoted therefore comprise both additional NWCSP investment and the underlying management and operation costs for the years in question.
There is no programme to develop a new warhead at AWE. The December 2006 White Paper Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent (Cm 6994) refers, in paragraph 5-11, to
“£2-3 billion for the possible future refurbishment or replacement of the warhead”.
The decision on whether to refurbish or replace the warhead has yet to be made and will likely be necessary in the next Parliament. This cost is not reflected in any of the figures quoted in the question.
The decision on whether to refurbish or replace the warhead has yet to be made and will likely be necessary in the next Parliament. This cost is not reflected in any of the figures quoted in the question.
Finally, the 2007 pre-Budget report and comprehensive spending review White Paper (Cm 7227), made clear in paragraph D8.7 that additional NWCSP funding, (which is incorporated within the £800, £900 and £950 million figures) was provided to continue the programme of investment in sustaining key skills and facilities at AWE,
“both to ensure we can maintain our existing nuclear warhead for as long as necessary and to enable development of a replacement warhead should that be necessary”.
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the reasons are for rescheduling the nuclear accident planning exercise at AWE Aldermaston from 13 May to 3 June 2009.
Mr. Quentin Davies: The site exercise at the Atomic Weapons Establishment
(AWE) Aldermaston planned for 13 May 2009 was rescheduled as associated restrictions
would have clashed with planned activities elsewhere on the site. The rearranged
date of 3 June 2009 was agreed with the regulator, the Nuclear Installations
Inspectorate.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/
cm090520/text/90520w0008.htm#09052052000044
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