Depleted Uranium Oversight Board

HC Deb 13 February 2004 vol 418 cc42-3W

Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Depleted Uranium Oversight board(a) to report and (b) to be wound up; and when it last met. [155801]

Mr. Caplin

Under its terms of reference, the Depleted Uranium Oversight Board (DUOB) is required to report to the Under-Secretary of State for Defence on its progress, and additionally reports its proceedings publicly on the internet at www.duob.org.uk

The DUOB last met on 27 January 2004. The main DU testing programme is expected to begin in mid 2004. The period over which testing will continue will depend on demand. It is not possible to say at this stage when the DUOB will be in a position to summarise its findings or when it might be wound up.