HC Deb 11 March 1998 vol 308 c197W
Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sticks of plastic explosive were removed from the Sennybridge Infantry Training Centre, Wales in the period June to September 1997. [33685]

Dr. Reid

Five sticks of plastic explosive were stolen from the Army Training Centre, Sennybridge last year. The individual responsible for the theft has since been sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.

Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the findings of the board of inquiry review into the theft of explosives from the Sennybridge Infantry Training Centre. [33687]

Dr. Reid

Boards of Inquiry are investigations internal to the Ministry of Defence and their findings are not normally published under exemption 2 of the Code of Access to Government Information. I will, however, write to the hon. Member when the Board of Inquiry has reported, with its findings.

Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many incidents of(a) explosives and (b) detonators being removed or stolen from army bases were reported in the period September 1996 to March 1998. [33684]

Dr. Reid

Between September 1996 and March 1998 one case of explosives and detonators being removed or stolen from an Army establishment was reported. This was the case involving the Army Training Centre, Sennybridge.

Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the security lapses which allowed plastic explosives and detonators to be stolen from Sennybridge Infantry Training Centre in 1997. [33686]

Dr. Reid

A Board on Inquiry has been instigated to investigate the theft of explosives from the Army Training Centre, Sennybridge.