HC Deb 21 July 1993 vol 229 cc245-6W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the sites(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) abroad where his Department stores depleted uranium; and if he will make a statement on the safety precautions taken in storing depleted uranium.

Mr. Aitken

Depleted uranium is stored in a variety of forms at several Ministry of Defence sites in the United Kingdom. The main sites include those of the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston, Burghfield and Cardiff; the test and evaluation ranges at Eskmeals and Kirkcudbright; and the Defence Research Agency site at Fort Halstead, together with a few minor holdings at other DRA sites. In addition it is held at a small number of military munitions stores and depots both in the United Kingdom and abroad. All materials are held in safe and secure facilities in accordance with the requirements for radioactive materials.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what methods of transport are used to move depleted uranium in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Aitken

Movement of non-military uranium within the United Kingdom is a matter for the Department of Transport. My Department for this purpose uses containers which are designed, manufactured and tested in conformity with the appropriate International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA) transport regulations.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what documents are published by his Department containing information on quantities, locations and uses of depleted uranium owned or used by his Department(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) abroad.

Mr. Aitken

Two documents have been published which refer to depleted uranium. The first is the memorandum on anti-armour ammunition, which was placed in the Library of the House in March 1979; the second is a publicity document produced by the then Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment at Chertsey—now part of the Defence Research Agency—entitled "Kirkcudbright Range Facilities", published in January 1986.

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