HC Deb 24 January 2001 vol 361 cc577-8W
Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if depleted uranium rounds are routinely carried by Challenger tanks on operations and training exercises. [146899]

Mr. Spellar

[holding answer 23 January 2001]Depleted uranium rounds are not carried by Challenger tanks on exercise and are moved to a theatre of operations only if the circumstances suggest that they may be needed. For example, each Challenger 1 carried DU ammunition when deployed to the Gulf in 1990–01. DU ammunition is not currently held in the Balkans, but could be flown out at short notice should the situation warrant it.

Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the arrangements are for the storage and handling of depleted uranium ammunition in service with UK armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [146898]

Mr. Spellar

[holding answer 23 January 2001]The Ministry of Defence places the utmost importance on the health and safety of all service and civilian employees. Accordingly, the Department maintains the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974, the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Environment Act 1995 and associated legislation as minimum standards. Specifically, the MOD explosive storage and transport committee lays down the policy and standards for the storage and transportation of all conventional military explosives held by the UK MOD and this includes depleted uranium (DU) munitions. These standards are then enshrined as necessary in single service regulations and local depot procedures. The MOD would not consider storing or handling munitions of any type until approved, satisfactory procedures were in place and, as such, they are a pre-requisite of acceptance. In the case of DU munitions, appropriate procedures have been in place since these munitions entered service and, as is common practice, they are routinely reviewed and updated as necessary. We have no evidence to suggest any inadequacy in our current procedures or arrangements for the storage and handling of DU munitions in service, nor of any safety-related incidents which give us cause for concern.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if depleted uranium ammunitions were(a) produced and (b) tested at Royal Ordnance, Chorley. [147050]

Mr. Spellar

Depleted uranium ammunitions have neither been produced nor tested at Royal Ordnance, Chorley.

Mr. Maclennan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if depleted uranium-based ammunition is authorised for use at(a) the Tain Air Weapons Range and (b) the Cape Wrath Range by (i) UK forces and (ii) overseas forces; and if he will make a statement. [145909]

Mr. Spellar

[holding answer 17 January 2001]Depleted Uranium (DU)-based ammunition is not authorised for use at Tain Air Weapons Range, or at Cape Wrath Range, by either UK forces or overseas forces.