§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what advice in respect of the potential health hazards posed by depleted uranium dispersed in the environment from NATO shelling has been given to British aid workers deployed in Kosovo. [145290]
§ Clare ShortKFOR has provided the United Nations Mines Action and Co-ordination Centre (UNMACC) with an information pack about depleted uranium which UNMACC distributed to each mine clearance organisation.
It has not been necessary to provide advice more widely to aid workers on this issue. The interim statement of the United Nations Environment Programme's survey of sites where depleted uranium was used in Kosovo states that they found slightly raised levels of radiation at eight sites. We are awaiting their final report. The Royal Society is also conducting a general review of depleted uranium. We shall review our practice on advice to aid workers in the light of both reports. Our present view is that mines and unexploded ordnance pose a greater risk to assistance workers and all personnel are given mines awareness training before deployment to Kosovo.