HL Deb 01 July 1999 vol 603 cc55-6WA
Lord Beaumont of Whitley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much depleted uranium they estimate has been deposited on Kosovo during the NATO action; and what steps are being taken to prevent its harming (a) NATO ground forces; (b) the inhabitants of Kosovo; and (c) returning refugees. [HL2999]

The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)

The UK did not use depleted uranium, DU, ammunition during the Kosovo air campaign. The United States is the only member of the Alliance to have confirmed that it used DU ammunition. I am not in a position to estimate the amount used.

British troops have been given appropriate guidance on dealing with any potential hazards from DU based munitions that they might encounter in Kosovo. As a precaution, this guidance includes advice to wear respiratory protection and gloves when contact with vehicles damaged by DU ammunition is unavoidable. British forces in theatre have been issued with the appropriate range of clothing and equipment. Other NATO nations are likewise responsible for providing guidance to their own troops.

KFOR troops are working hard to ensure that any immediate dangers to the population posed by military hazards are reduced as far as possible. KFOR troops also stand ready to provide advice on any hazards to international organisations, NGOs and the local population as necessary.

The UNHCR is the lead agency responsible for the return of the refugees. It will be for them to provide such advice as they judge to be necessary on the hazards which returning refugees may face.

We have published on the MoD website the March 1999 paper produced by the MoD's Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Unit in respect of testing for the presence of DU in British veterans of that conflict. We believe that the health risks to our personnel from the use of DU based ammunition in the Gulf War were very small.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether people in Kosovo and Serbia who may come in contact with the depleted uranium used by NATO forces are to be provided with the same respiratory protection and gloves as are being provided by the Ministry of Defence to United Kingdom forces (Written Answer by George Robertson MP on 16 June (HC Deb., WA 148)); and who is to pay for this. [HL3198]

Lord Gilbert

Her Majesty's Government have provided equipment only for members of HM Forces.