HC Deb 01 December 2003 vol 415 cc7-8W
Mr. Wyatt

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of whether there were nuclear weapons on board the SS Montgomery when it sank off Sheerness; and if he will make a statement. [140707]

Mr. Jamieson

The cargo manifest does not include nuclear weapons.

Mr. Wyatt

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether fulminite of mercury was present in fuses on board the SS Montgomery; and if he will make a statement. [140708]

Mr. Jamieson

The cargo manifest of the 'Richard Montgomery' does not specifically refer to fulminate of mercury, but does list other types of fuses. However, fulminate of mercury was in use at the time so may be contained in some of the detonators and fuses.

Mr. Wyatt

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the ammunition on board the SS Montgomery is in a stable condition; and if he will make a statement. [140709]

Mr. Jamieson

The wreck of the 'Richard Montgomery' is surveyed by diver and sonar survey on a regular basis and appears to be in a stable condition. The majority of the munitions are unfused. The munitions which are fused are considered by experts to be likely to be stable given the circumstances and duration of storage.

Mr. Wyatt

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has commissioned on whether the detonation of ammunition at Shoeburyness will have a deleterious effect on the ammunition on board the SS Montgomery. [140710]

Mr. Jamieson

No research has been commissioned into whether the detonation of ammunition at Shoeburyness Firing Range will have a deleterious effect on the ammunition onboard the 'Richard Montgomery'. However, the wreck of the 'Richard Montgomery' is surveyed by diver and sonar survey on a regular basis and in the 59 years since the sinking of the wreck, no incidents of any nature have been reported as a result of the activities at Shoeburyness.