Depleted Uranium Ammunition (Hansard, 2 July 1993)

§ Mr. Foulkes
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether depleted uranium ammunition continues to be test fired at Eskmeals and Kirkcudbright ranges.

§ Mr. Aitken
Yes.

§ Mr. Foulkes
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 14 June,Official Report, column 474, for what reason air samples are not taken at Kirkcudbright range to check for depleted uranium radioactivity; if he will consider the taking of such samples; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Aitken
Air samples are not necessary at Kirkcudbright because the depleted uranium penetrators are not fired against a hard target. There is, therefore, no significant dispersion of radioactive material into the air.

§ Mr. Foulkes
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what tests were carried out for radioactivity in areas where depleted uranium shells were used during the Gulf war; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Hanley
Depleted uranium has a low level of radioactivity; furthermore in the circumstances of the Gulf conflict such tests were not practicable. Those United640W Kingdom service personnel who assisted with ordnance clearance in Kuwait after the conflict were issued with instructions and personal equipment to minimise any health hazard.

§ Mr. Foulkes
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 14 June,Official Report, column 474, what are the highest levels of radioactivity from depleted uranium ammunition detected at Eskmeals and Kirkcudbright ranges; and what is the exact level determined to be a health hazard.

§ Mr. Aitken
I will write to the hon. Member.