§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy concerning environmental matters; if he will specify what actions his Department are pursuing to safeguard the environment; how much money his Department spent in each of the last 10 years on environmental protection and maintenance; and if he will make a statement. [18844]
§ Mr. FreemanMy Department's policy is to comply with the letter and spirit of UK environmental legislation and international conventions to which the UK is a signatory, and Crown or defence immunities are invoked only where necessary for national security. I set out current environmental action in my answer to the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Ms Ruddock),Official Report, column 1152, on 5 April 1995.
Environmental protection measures are an integral part of many defence activities. As a consequence, the discrete costs involved cannot be separately identified. Details of my Department's policy and activities on environmental matters are readily available in the "Statement on Defence Estimates".