§ Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what steps will be taken to find the missiles lost in the Bristol Channel in 2001; [161878]
1484W(2) what help is being given to QinetiQ to help find the missile lost in the Bristol Channel; [161877]
(3) how many armaments were lost in the Bristol Channel and the Severn estuary in the last five years; [161876]
(4) what the total number of (a) man hours and (b) resources were spent on looking for the missile lost in the Bristol Channel in the last five years; [161875]
(5) what the role of the range at Weston-super-Mare will be following the loss of missiles from it in 2003. [161873]
§ Mr. IngramThe Ministry of Defence has no record of missiles being lost in the Bristol Channel or Severn Estuary in either 2001 or 2003. We are aware of only one incident of armaments being lost in the Bristol Channel or Severn estuary in the last five years. In March 2002, a pallet of munitions was lost at the St. Thomas' Head range near Weston-super-Mare, which is operated by QinetiQ. The pallet is presumed to have been swept away by very strong spring tides. The pallet contained eight anti tank bar mines (with the fuses removed) and 20 warheads which had been removed from Swingfire missiles.
Extensive searches have been undertaken by the Avon and Somerset Constabulary, HM Coastguard, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy Southern Diving Group (SDG) and QinetiQ. The pallet has not, however, been located.
The SDG conducted two searches of the range area, consuming around 160 man-hours in March 2002 and about 220 man-hours in October 2002. QinetiQ carried out searches on foot and by boat and helicopter, expending a total of more than 110 man-hours. The RAF consumed a total of 15 man-hours on the task, including transit to and from the search area. The MOD does not have details of the resources consumed by either the Avon and Somerset Constabulary or HM Coastguard.
Use of the St. Thomas' Head range continues to be covered by the Long Term Partnering Agreement that has been negotiated with QinetiQ for the delivery of a long term test and evaluation capability to the MOD.