---

Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research he has evaluated on the work carried out using radioactive materials at the Shoeburyness ranges as part of the original nuclear weapons programme; and what reports he has received on releases of radioactive material at the Shoeburyness ranges as part of the original nuclear weapons programme. [218571] Mr. Caplin:The Ministry of Defence has just commenced a Land Quality Assessment (LQA) of the entire Shoeburyness site. It is expected that appropriate assessments of any historic radioactive contamination associated with the use of radioactive materials in support of the nuclear weapons programme will be conducted and reported upon as necessary as the LQA progresses. This work will build upon a Land Quality Statement, compiled in 1997, relating to areas of the Shoeburyness site formerly used for research in support of the nuclear weapons programme. The broad history of the part of Shoeburyness (AWE Foulness) formally used for these purposes is available in the report (ISSN 1478-7008) of a desk-top investigation published by English Heritage in 2004.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

431 c1675W;431 c1671W; 218571

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Contamination Nuclear weapons Radioactive materials Research Testing Firing ranges Shoeburyness

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk