§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which countries the depleted uranium imported by his Department for use in anti-tank penetrator shells originated; and what collaborative research is being undertaken with other countries that manufacture such shells.
§ Mr. AitkenThe depleted uranium used in my Department's anti-tank ammunition development programmes has been imported, by the contractors, from the United States of America.
My Department has undertaken a collaborative research programme with the United States, France and Germany to examine the feasibility of developing a 140 mm tank round. As part of the programme depleted uranium penetrators have been considered. This programme is now almost complete.