HC Deb 13 March 2002 vol 381 cc1166-7W
Mr. Liddell-Grainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the safety rules are for the use of missiles on beach ranges. [41876]

Dr. Moonie

All Ministry of Defence owned ranges operate under the regulatory system laid down in Joint Service Publication (JSP) 403. Each range will have a Supervising Authority that licenses the activities on the range and carries out regular inspections to ensure compliance with the current regulations.

Each range has a set of Standing Operating Procedures that govern the implementation of the approved safety procedures for the firing of specified missiles on the range.

Mr. Liddell-Grainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold an inquiry into the loss of missiles in the Bristol Channel. [41877]

Dr. Moonie

The Ministry of Defence's Chief Inspector of Explosives is to conduct an internal Board of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the loss of a pallet of munitions prepared for destruction at St. Thomas Head, Weston-super-Mare.

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