HC Deb 03 December 1987 vol 123 cc711-2W
Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what information he had on radioactivity levels in the exercise Purple Warrior area, prior to the exercise;

(2) whether he received any requests to postpone exercise Purple Warrior on the grounds of radioactivity levels in the exercise area; and if he will make a statement;

(3) whether his Department received any communications prior to exercise Purple Warrior regarding levels of radioactivity in the area of the exercise; and if he will make a statement;

(4) how many explosions were caused during exercise Purple Warrior which occasioned significant earth movements.

Mr. Ian Stewart

On no occasion during the planning or course of exercise Purple Warrior were there any indications that the land used for exercise activity posed health risks to exercise participants due to danger from radioactivity levels in the exercise area. No such information was given to my Department prior to the exercise and no requests have been received from any source advising the postponement or cancellation of the exercise on these grounds. One letter from a member of the public has been received on the subject of levels of radioactivity in the exercise area. No explosions occasioning significant earth movement took place during the exercise.