“Secure Vehicle Compound”, Albemarle Barracks, nr Harlow Hill, Northumberland

Saturday 14 December 2002

Grounds for inspection Widely reported use of site by sensitive military convoys, travelling between Atomic Weapons Establishment Burghfield and Royal Naval Armaments Depot Coulport

Reasons for inspection Continuing use of site to support Britain’s Trident nuclear warheads system; nature of Trident warheads being carried on military convoys staying at site

Ancillary reasons Dangers posed to local citizens by the transport of Plutonium and apparent terrorist targets on busy roads

Background to inspectionBritain’s commitment to nuclear disarmament under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1970 (article VI), reinforced by the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice in July 1996 (paragraph 105(2)(F)), and reaffirmed by Britain at the Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference in May 2000 (Programme of Action, paragraph 15(6)). Criminal nature of use of site for preparations for war crimes, established by the International Criminal Court Act 2001 (Rome Statutes, articles 8 & 25).

Purpose of inspection To inspect all aspects of the site, including documentation and records relating to use of site for a weapons of mass destruction programme. To interview members of the Ministry of Defence who may be present about the operational use of the site. To inspect the level of security and judge therefrom the importance of the site within a nuclear weapons programme.

Ancillary purpose To examine the security of the site and its suitability for the storage of weapons of mass destruction, in terms of public protection and safety.

Authority for inspection United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441, made 8th November 2002, imposing an “enhanced inspection regime” on Iraq following concerns about possible future development of nuclear and other weapons by Iraq.

On behalf of Tyneside Citizens’ Inspection Agency: