The Gulf (Hansard, 15 April 1991)

§ Mr. Dalyell
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been made of the rise and temporary decline in temperature between convenient points in(a) region and (b) time (i) in Kuwait, (ii) Bahrain and (iii) on the Kuwait/Iraq border, as a result of oil-well fire effects.

§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
The Meteorological Office has made estimates of the depression of maximum day-time temperatures in the Gulf area based on the generally sparse measurements of surface temperature that are available. When the smoke plume is overhead, calculations indicate that the day-time temperatures in Kuwait city are depressed by 4 to 6 degs. C, in Bahrain the depression is 1 to 3 degs. C. No surface measurements are available from the Kuwait-Iraqi border. Values similar to Kuwait city are expected. Larger depressions of temperature may occur close to the source of the plume and beneath high concentrations of smoke.

§ Mr. Dalyell
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of the work of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in clearing mines and booby traps in the Ahmadi and Magwa oil fields.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
British forces have been providing assistance in Kuwait in areas where we have special expertise, including explosive ordnance disposal. Much has already been achieved and progress continues to be made. It is not possible to comment in detail on operations in specific areas as they involve several other agencies and can change from day to day.

§ Mr. Dalyell
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the tonnage of bombs dropped by coalition forces on Kuwait and Iraq which(a) missed their target and (b) accurately hit their target.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The assessment of the effectiveness of weapons used by British forces during the conflict is not yet complete. Information is not available for other coalition countries.

§ Mr. Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information was received from the Soviet Union on the ground deployment of Iraqi forces during Operation Granby.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
It is not the practice to comment on such matters.