§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been commissioned by his Department into(a)the degree of contamination and (b)the prospects for remedial action at military bases in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) dependent territories abroad. [158903]
§ Mr. CaplinTo date, over 500 Land Quality Assessments (LQA) have been prepared across the Defence estate since 1995 to identify the degree and extent of contaminated land, predominantly in the United Kingdom, but also in dependent territories such as Gibraltar and Cyprus. LQA identify potentially contaminative site activities. Studies are prioritised, e.g. on sites in proximity to vulnerable aquifers, or where contamination is known or suspected. This process determines remedial options.
Current Ministry of Defence policy is to undertake remediation of contaminated land where there is significant risk to human health or the environment and it is practical or necessary to remove all contamination from a site. This may be confined to the removal of radioactive contamination or other defence specific contaminants, wherein the MOD's environmental specialists (or specialist consultants) and the environmental regulators work closely together to establish the extent to which the land is to be decontaminated.
1493WThe MOD seeks to ensure compliance with relevant statutory environmental provisions and any additional requirements arising from international treaties and protocols to which the UK is a signatory. Overseas, the Department will apply UK standards where reasonably practicable and, in addition, comply with host nation standards. This ensures resources are used efficiently and land is being managed in the best interests of good environmental performance and sustainable development.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what studies his Department has commissioned on the levels of(a)toxic and (b)other pollution at military bases in the UK; and what publications his Department has issued in this respect since May 1997; [158904]
(2) how many locations there are where there is recorded contamination (a)at and (b)from military bases, broken down by (i) location, (ii) nature of contamination, (iii) remedial works taken or planned and (iv) the financial cost of contamination; and if he will make a statement. [158905]
§ Mr. CaplinThe information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.