Nuclear Information Service

This region of the NIS site shows published records of UK government policy and parliamentary debates on nuclear weapons issues. It includes articles and links to the latest parliamentary debates; the views of media commentators and NGOs. The HANSARD section lists parliamentary questions and government ministers’ answers, which are a regular source of detailed information on all aspects of nuclear weapons manufacture, operations and military policy.

Flood map for AWE Burghfield. Shaded areas represent areas at significant risk of flooding, where the chance of flooding each year is greater than 1.3% (1 in 75).

events notice

NEW NIS Submission to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY CONSULTATION

Global Security: Non-Proliferation

NIS argues that the risks posed by British nuclear weapons production and road transport of warheads threaten each individual citizen and our way of life. Additionally, the risk of a criticality event at the substandard warhead assembly/disassembly facilities at AWE Burghfield is also unacceptable and unjustifiable.

Read the NIS submission to the FCO.

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MOD Stops Live Nuclear Work at AWE due to preasure from NII over safety risks..
2007 Annual Report released by NIS.
A New Film Exposes Deadly Cargo on British Roads..

Hansard on AWE Aldermaston, Nov 17th 2008

2008-11-17 15:00

*17 Nov 2008** : Column 141W*

AWE Aldermaston

*Mr. Hancock:* To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role the management consortium of the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston, AWEML, has played in responding to the improvement notice served by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive on 3 April 2008. [235575]

*Mr. Quentin Davies:* Through its contract with the Ministry of Defence, AWEML is responsible for the safety of operations at AWE sites. This it discharges through its subsidiary, AWE plc, which holds the necessary Nuclear Site Licences and discharge authorisations issued by the external regulators. AWEML provides strategic guidance and direction to AWE plc, particularly in respect of safety and compliance with the regulatory regime. The AWEML board includes an independent safety director, who is engaged specifically to help ensure the correct emphasis and priorities are brought to bear on safety matters at AWE.

With regard to the Improvement Notice issued on 3 April 2008, AWEML scrutinised and endorsed the plan agreed between AWE plc and the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate in response to the issues raised. The AWEML board will be closely monitoring AWE plc's progress to ensure that the plan is achieved.