HC Deb 07 November 2002 vol 392 c477W
Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance his Department has provided foreign countries to develop tank ammunition and weaponry composed of depleted uranium, and depleted uranium components; and if he will make a statement. [65043]

Dr. Moonie

I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Wiggin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent progress has been made toward the establishment of a European Rapid Reaction Force; and what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts regarding the issue. [79972]

Mr. Hoon

There is no standing European Rapid Reaction Force. Under the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), the EU will undertake crisis management operations where NATO as a whole is not engaged. Forces for these operations will be provided voluntarily by Member States, and in some cases by others. (The same arrangement applies for NATO and UN crisis management operations.)

I discuss ESDP with European counterparts frequently. EU Defence Ministers last met collectively to discuss ESDP and other matters on 4–5 October.

Jeremy Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much depleted uranium was used in bombing campaigns by UK forces in(a) Kosovo during the recent conflict, (b) Serbia during the conflict over Kosovo and (c) Afghanistan in 2001–02. [79695]

Mr. Ingram

None.