§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of the seabed search for depleted uranium shells fired into the Solway firth conducted on behalf of his Department during the summer; and what has been the cost to his Department to date.
§ Mr. FreemanFollowing an underwater video survey by the Fisheries Protection Vessel, Solway Protector, British Telecom Marine, using Ministry of Defence equipment was contracted to attempt the recovery of sample depleted uranium penetrators from the bed of the Solway firth. Sonar, visual and magnetometer surveys were conducted with no result. Water and seabed silt samples showed no increase in background radiation levels. The cost of these activities was some £27,000 for work covering six days overall.