HC Deb 14 October 1996 vol 282 cc782-3W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Her Majesty's Government were first notified of the matters contained in the report on the B47 accident at RAF Greenham Common, sent to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent by his Department on 28 September; if the United States authorities have made available to Her Majesty's Government the expurgated sections of the report: and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library. [40490]

Mr. Soames

The circumstances of the accident which occurred at RAF Greenham Common on 28 February 1958 were known immediately after the event, and a statement was made to the House on 5 March 1958,Official Report, columns 133–34. A copy of the expurgated report of the US inquiry in to the accident was received by the Ministry of Defence on 7 August this year, and this is the only version which has been made available to us. I will arrange for a copy of the report to be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where the contaminated soil and aggregates, removed after the accident at RAF Greenham Common on 28 February 1958, are currently stored: what packaging has been used; what monitoring is conducted to ensure toxic materials, hazardous to the environment, are not released from the burial sites; and what has been the cost to date, in 1996 prices, of the clean-up and subsequent waste management arising from the accident. [40507]

Mr. Soames

The accident at RAF Greenham Common on 28 February 1958 did not give rise to any contaminated soil or aggregates which would have required disposal in the manner suggested. I understand that debris from the accident was disposed of by the US authorities in accordance with their routine procedures as no special precautions were needed. All associated costs were borne by the US authorities.

Forward to