§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what activities are authorised in danger area D402C; and on what date the area was established. [16819]
§ Mr. SoamesThe only activity authorised in danger area D402C is occasional bomb disposal. The danger area was brought into activity in January 1996.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many days in(a) 1995 and (b) 1996 the danger area designated EGD512A was active; if he will list the weapons which are authorised for use within EGD512A; and what is the expected change in the nature and frequency of use of EGD512A following the development of firing facilities at Otterburn. [16829]
§ Mr. SoamesDanger area EGD512A was in use for two days in 1995–96 and has been active for four days to date in 1996–97. All artillery gun systems are unauthorised to use the danger area. No significant change in use is anticipated.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions over the last two years(a) danger area D402A and (b) danger area D402B have been activated above 3,000 ft; to what height they were activated in each case; and what procedures are in place for the safe transit of aircraft on airway B2 when such activations take place. [16820]
§ Mr. SoamesOver the last two years, Danger Areas D402A and B have been activated above the normal maximum height of 3,000 ft for weapons firing trials work. Notice to Airmen—NOTAM—warnings of range activity occurred on 10 occasions covering a total period of 28 days, although four of these NOTAMs, covering a110W total of six days, were cancelled due to weather. Activation dates, times and maximum heights were as follows:
Date Time Maximum Height Danger Areas D402A and B—NOTAM 0900–1700 hours Up to 23,000 feet NOTAM cancelled Details 1 July 1995 3 to 17 July 1995 0900–1900 hours Up to 13,000 feet 22 July 1995 0900–1600 hours Up to 20,000 feet 19 to 20 August 1995 0900–1600 hours Up to 5,000 feet NOTAM cancelled 2 to 3 September 1995 0930–1800 hours Up to 23,000 feet NOTAM cancelled 8 May 1996 1000–1400 hours Up to 7,000 feet 1 to 2 February 1997 1100–1500 hours Up to 5,000 feet Danger Areas D402A only—Activation Details 2 November 1996 1000–1600 hours Up to 17,000 feet 16 November 1996 0900–1400 hours Up to 17,000 feet NOTAM cancelled 18 to 19 January 1997 1200–1600 hours Up to 5,000 feet When danger areas are active, Airway Blue 2 is closed by NOTAM action, although, when safe to do so, the danger area controlling authority, West Freugh approach radar, may, when requested, approve aircraft to use this airway.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the weapon types which have been authorised for discharge in(a) danger area D411 and (b) danger area D509 in the last 10 years; what records his Department collates of the number and type of weapons fired; and if he will make a statement on efforts made to recover unexploded ordnance from the seabed in these areas. [16826]
§ Mr. SoamesDanger area D411, in the Portpatrick area, is used for trials of Sonobuoy equipment. No weapons have been authorised for discharge in this area over the last 10 years.
Danger area D509, in the Campbletown area, is used for anti-air and surface weapon training. My Department does not hold records detailing the specific weapons authorised for discharge in danger area D509 over the last 10 years, nor are records collated indicating the number and types of weapons fired. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the following weapon types are known to have been used routinely within this area:
- 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun and a variety of small arms
- 20mm ADEN air to surface cannon
- 20 & 30mm Oerlikon guns
- 40mm Bofors 40/60 guns
In addition, the following weapon types have been used on an occasional basis within danger area D509:
- 20mm DCN guns
- 20mm Giat cannon
- 40mm Oerlikon 40/70 guns.
As a matter of routine during training and exercises, inert projectiles would be fired by the weapons detailed above: residue deposited on the sea-bed would not. therefore, be explosive.
111WIn accordance with our usual practice, my Department has made no effort to recover unexploded ordnance from the sea-bed in danger areas D411 and D509. As a general principle, scientific advice indicates that unexploded ordnance on the seabed presents no significant risk to safety, human health or the marine environment, if left undisturbed.