HC Deb 21 February 2000 vol 344 cc1226-7
6. Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)

What scientific evaluation was made (a) in 1991 and (b) subsequently of the effects on UK troops of friendly fire involving depleted uranium munitions; and if he will make a statement. [109400]

The Minister for the Armed Forces (Mr. John Spellar)

Obviously, the right hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Mr. Forth) is keener to turn up late at night to talk about irrelevancies than to come and deal with the real business of the House.

The Ministry of Defence is not aware of any friendly fire incidents during which British troops were injured or killed by depleted uranium-based ammunition during the Gulf conflict. The historical and technical evaluation of the records from the friendly fire incidents that occurred during the Gulf conflict has concluded that there is no evidence to show that DU munitions were involved. Therefore, there has been no scientific evaluation of the effects of exposure to depleted uranium on British troops involved in friendly fire incidents.

Mr. Dalyell

As a member of an incoming Administration, is my hon. Friend entitled to know all the facts of what was, or was not, asked on depleted uranium in 1991?

Mr. Spellar

I am not entirely sure of the context in which my hon. Friend asks that question. In answer to a previous question that he posed in this regard, I said:

The US Department of Defense informs us that there is no 'US Army Depleted Uranium Assessment Unit'. The Ministry of Defence is not aware of any 'friendly fire' incidents during which British troops were injured or killed by depleted uranium-based ammunition during the Gulf conflict."—[Official Report, 10 January 2000; Vol. 342, c. 90W.] It is of course open to an incoming Administration to be advised of information that would be pertinent to such a question. We have answered the question, and I am not exactly sure what my hon. Friend's difficulty is. If he cares to write to me pointing out further information that he thinks will be required and the basis on which he thinks it will, we will obviously be prepared to investigate further.