§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy on contaminated land. [34654]
§ Mr. SoamesMy Department has instituted a land quality assessment procedure for all sites being considered or allocated for disposal. In addition, steps are being taken to prioritise the rest of the defence estate for future assessment work. Decontamination of my Department's land is undertaken where there is a significant risk to1184W health and safety or the environment, or where land is being sold. In the latter case, decontamination work is generally limited to the removal of ordnance and other contaminants such as chemical warfare agents, radioactive and microbiological materials in respect of which a civilian contractor could not be expected to have the appropriate expertise.