§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the last 20 years depleted uranium shells have been fired at the Foulness ranges in Shoeburyness; and if he will make a statement. [44797]
§ Dr. MoonieNo depleted uranium (DU) shells have been fired at Foulness.
However, during the 1980s, approximately 200 rounds of small experimental DU projectiles, of up to 30 mm calibre, were fired in a purpose-built indoor facility at Foulness.
Experimental firings between 1982 and 1983 are confirmed by range records. Further to this, in his response of 9 March 2001, Official Report, column 358W, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence stated that DU firings may have continued at Foulness until 1986.
558WThe building in which firing took place was designed to prevent any escape of particulate DU into the atmosphere. It was closed in the early 1990s and was decontaminated in 1997.