§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what warnings about depleted uranium hazards have been given to(a) UK and other allied forces troops, (b) UK and international aid and media organisations and (c) civilian communities and military organisations likely to be exposed to depleted uranium contamination in Afghanistan. [20341]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 6 December 2001]: We are not aware that DU has been used in the current conflict by the Coalition, nor are we aware of any plans for it to be used. We have no information about the use of DU in previous conflicts in Afghanistan.
In the event that it is used in future, suitable guidance will be available to UK deployed forces. It will be for other nations to take similar actions with their own forces as they see necessary. The Coalition will also liaise with the Afghan authorities and human relief agencies in the event that there is a need to issue guidance to the Afghan population.