HC Deb 18 January 2001 vol 361 cc298-9W
Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if depleted uranium has been a component of munitions used on(a) Salisbury Plain training area, (b) Porton Down, (c) Lulworth ranges and (b) Shoeburyness. [145945]

Mr. Spellar

No munitions containing Depleted Uranium (DU) have ever been fired on Salisbury Plain Training Area, Porton Down or Lulworth Ranges. In respect to Foulness, which is now part of the DERA Shoeburyness site, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 15 January 2001,Official Report, columns 42–43W, to my right hon. Friend the Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham).

Mr. Alasdair Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the porpose was of the testing of depleted uranium shells at Dundrennan, Kirkudbrightshire, in 1999–2000. [145927]

Mr. Spellar

The only ammunition with depleted uranium tested at Dundrennan, Kirkudbrightshire, in 1999–2000 was the 120mm anti-armour round Challenger Armament 3 (CHARM 3) for Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank. The test-firing was part of the proofing regime for production rounds which will be complete by September 2001.

Mr. Alasdair Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many depleted uranium shells were fired at his Department's base at Dundrennan, Kirkcudbrightshire in 1999–2000; and how many have so far been fired in the current year. [145928]

Mr. Spellar

During the calendar years 1999 and 2000, a total of 411 depleted uranium shells were fired at the Army's Dundrennan range. No rounds have been fired, so far, during the current year.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the risk assessments undertaken by his Department affecting the environment and human life arising from the use of depleted uranium, including dates of such assessments in the last 10 years. [145922]

Mr. Spellar

I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if ordnance containing depleted uranium has been fired on the Otterburn Ranges; and if he will make a statement. [145934]

Mr. Spellar

No ordnance containing depleted uranium has ever been fired on the Otterburn Ranges.

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