- Date released
- 2 September 2024
- Request number
- 202408036
- Release of information under
- Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA)
Information requested
We are aware that you have granted AWE Burghfield permissions to keep using the current warhead assembly/disassembly facility after the initial expected shutdown date due to delays with project Mensa.
- Can we have copies of any communications you have sent giving permission to extend the life of the current facilities and any restrictions on their use you have imposed.
- Can we have copies of any communications (internal and external) with regard to the commissioning of Mensa and the change in the site risk profile once the current facilities cease operation.
- Can we have copies of any letters you have sent to any operators or local authorities with regards to the adequacy of off-site emergency plans and Level 2 exercises in the last three years.
Information released
Can we have copies of any communications you have sent giving permission to extend the life of the current facilities and any restrictions on their use you have imposed.
I can confirm that under s.1 of the FOIA, we do not hold this information. This is because we have not sent any communications to AWE to permission an extension to the life of the current facilities.
In response to questions 1 and 3, we aim to be as open as possible when answering requests for information however your requests in these questions are unclear and we require further information in order to identify and locate the requested information.
Under our duty to provide advice and assistance under s.16 of the FOIA, please see below for further details.
Can we have copies of any communications (internal and external) with regard to the commissioning of Mensa and the change in the site risk profile once the current facilities cease operation.
With regards to the first part of your question in relation to the commissioning of Mensa, please clarify which aspects of Mensa commissioning are being requested.
As your request is not time bound, and the way in which the information is held on our systems, locating and retrieving it would likely take us beyond the appropriate limit set by the FOIA. See s.12 of the FOIA, where the cost of compliance exceeds the appropriate limit. To ensure your request is within limits, please specify a timeframe when clarifying, we suggest a timeframe of a maximum of six months.
In addition, information regarding Mensa is likely to fall within the following qualified exemption of the FOIA: s.24 Safeguarding national security, therefore it is highly likely consideration of the public interest test in disclosing the information will be needed.
With regards to the second part of your question regarding the change in the site risk profile once the current facilities cease operation, I can confirm that under s.1 of the FOIA, we do not hold this information. This is because we do not hold any communications on the change to the site risk profile on cessation of activities in the current facilities.
Can we have copies of any letters you have sent to any operators or local authorities with regards to the adequacy of off-site emergency plans and Level 2 exercises in the last three years.
To enable us to process this element of your request we require further clarification. This will assist in determining whether we hold the information you have requested in our records.
Could you please indicate which operators or local authorities you require this information of. If your request is in relation to AWE, this information is already available under FOI response reference FOI202406027.
Further information
Should you wish to clarify your request, please contact us via the email address: contact@onr.gov.uk, quoting reference: FOI202408036. Any reformulated request will be treated as a new FOI request. Please note that in accordance with s.1(3) of the FOIA we are not under any further obligation to respond until you have provided the appropriate clarification.
Exemptions applied
N/A
PIT (Public Interest Test) if applicable
N/A