To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what operational restrictions have been imposed at AWE Burghfield following the report from the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate. (172494)

The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) now requires AWE plc to seek prior authorisation for assembly/disassembly work. Such activities have always been allowed to proceed, with no impact on operations at AWE Burghfield, which remains fully operational and safe.

It is emphasised that, if NII believed a particular operation were unsafe, it would not allow it to take place, and has appropriate regulatory powers at its disposal to cease operations. AWE Burghfield remains operational as the NII is satisfied that all appropriate licence conditions are being met by AWE plc.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why AWE Burghfield did not meet the deadline of 27 September to address the shortfalls identified as a result of its periodic review of safety. (172496)

Some of the issues identified by AWE plc as a result of its periodic review of safety required the procurement of specialist equipment where the acquisition time was such that the equipment could not be brought into service by the deadline of 27 September. Consequently, the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) has agreed a new programme of work with AWE plc. It is important to note that NII is satisfied that appropriate progress is being made at AWE Burghfield to address the findings of the periodic review of safety.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what safety care shortfalls were identified by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate at AWE Burghfield. (172497)

The safety case issues in question were identified not by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII), but by AWE plc in its own periodic review of safety. These were associated primarily with risk assessment techniques and the clarity of audit trails. A revised safety case addressing these issues was adopted in September 2007 and NII is satisfied that appropriate progress is being made at AWE Burghfield to address the findings of the periodic review of safety.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what responses he has made to the letter from the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate dated 9th May, Annex 1, with particular reference to its conclusions on the safety of continuing to operate at AWE Burghfield; and if he will make a statement. (172498)

The letter from the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) was to AWE plc and not MOD. MOD officials work very closely with both the AWE nuclear site licensee, AWE plc, and the external regulator, the NII The latter is satisfied that operations at AWE Burghfield are safe and the Department's internal nuclear safety regulator supports this position. No useful purpose could therefore be served by the intervention of the Secretary of State for Defence in matters which are essentially for AWE plc to address with the NII.