§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been carried out by his Department on the costs of damage to the environment caused by its activities.
§ Mr. HanleyIn line with Government policy, the Ministry of Defence seeks to identify, assess and, where practicable, minimise the environmental impacts of its activities. The identification and, where appropriate, rectification of environmental damage attributable to past defence activity, principally soil contamination, is870W undertaken where there is considered to be a risk to health and safety, where water quality is threatened or where land is being sold.