HC Deb 16 January 1996 vol 269 c533W
Mr. Mullin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received and what research he has commissioned about the use of chemical or biological weapons by the Iraqis during the Gulf war and the effect of such weapons on British service men. [9063]

Mr. Soames

There was no evidence of any use of chemical or biological weapons during the Gulf war. Scientific and medical investigations have since confirmed that there is also no evidence that British service men have suffered from any effects which could be attributed to the use of chemical or biological weapons.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what occasions United Kingdom authorities were consulted before the United States of America used depleted weapons in the Gulf war; and if he will make a statement. [9030]

Mr. Soames

There were no such consultations nor was there a need for them. Depleted uranium ammunition is a standard part of the inventory of both UK and US armed forces.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of depleted uranium in the Gulf war; what assessment has been made by his Department of the longer-term consequences of its use with particular reference to United Kingdom military personnel subject; what plans he has to develop depleted uranium as a weapon for the armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [9029]

Mr. Soames

The British armed forces are equipped with two kinds of ammunition containing depleted uranium, DU: 120 mm tank ammunition, some small quantities of which were fired by Challenger tanks during the Gulf conflict; and 20 mm ammunition for the Royal Navy's Vulcan phalanx point defence system which, apart from some rounds fired for proving purposes, was not used in the Gulf.

There is no evidence that members of the British forces were exposed to harmful levels of radiation. My Department has, however, run a programme of reassurance monitoring for personnel who were concerned that they may have been exposed to DU. This monitoring has shown no detectable DU contamination of any individual.

Stocks of an anti-tank round, charm 1, which utilises a depleted uranium penetrator, are available for use by Challenger 1 tanks. Development of the charm 3 round for Challenger 2 tanks, which will also use depleted uranium, will be completed by the end of 1996. Stocks of DU ammunition for the phalanx weapons system are available for use by the Royal Navy. There are no other current plans to purchase further naval weapons systems which employ DU.