HC Deb 24 April 2002 vol 384 cc262-3W
Norman Lamb

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the last five years personnel specialised in the clearance of unexploded ordnance have been deployed to Kenya in the aftermath of British Army training exercises there. [48932]

Mr. Ingram

A squadron from 33 Engineer Regiment has deployed to Kenya five times in the last five years. This annual exercise, in support of the Kenyan Authorities, to clear unexploded ordnance from areas used by the British Army in Kenya is under way now. In addition, every infantry exercise—wherever it takes place—deploys with personnel trained in the clearance of unexploded ordnance.

Norman Lamb

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) people and (b) animals have been killed as a result of unexploded ordnance left following British Army training exercises in (i) Kenya and (ii) other foreign countries in the last five years. [48933]

Mr. Ingram

The Ministry of Defence's records indicate that no people have been killed as a result of ordnance left behind following British Army training exercises overseas. While any deaths of animals may be reported locally, the MOD does not hold records of such incidents centrally and they could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Norman Lamb

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) types and (b) amounts of ordnance have been used during each British Army training deployment to Kenya during the past 12 months. [49304]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 16 April 2002]: The Ministry of Defence does not yet have a complete record of all the ammunition used during the past 12 months. I will write to the hon. Member when these details are available and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Norman Lamb

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the safety arrangements are for British Army training exercises in Kenya, with regard to protecting civilians from unexploded ordnance; [49309]

(2) what arrangements are in place to clear up ordnance left unexploded following British Army training exercises in Kenya. [49305]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 16 April 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 18 July 2001, Official Report, columns 400–02.

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