Notification of Inspection

                "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 Burgh-
                            field 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 Plutoni-
                            um 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), rein-
                            forced 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)). Crim-
                            inal 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 de-
                            struction 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 there-
                            from 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 develop-
                            ment of nuclear and other weapons by Iraq.



On behalf of Tyneside Citizens' Inspection Agency: