Written question asked by Jeremy Corbyn (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 January 2006. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Monday, 23 January 2006 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
Iraq
- Question
- To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been undertaken by his Department of the effects of depleted uranium on (a) Coalition forces, (b) Iraqi forces and (c) civilians in Iraq since May 2003; and if he will make a statement.
- Answer
-
Information on the Ministry of Defence Depleted Uranium research programme was announced to the House on 14 March 2002, Official Report, columns 1179–80W. A more detailed description of the research has been published on the Departmental website (http://www.mod.uk/issues/depleted_uranium/index.htm). In addition to this, in June 2003, MOD scientists completed a preliminary technical assessment of a number of Iraqi tanks thought to have been struck by DU rounds. Very low levels of DU were found in the vicinity of and on the tanks. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given in another place by my noble Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Defence (Lord Bach) on 26 May 2004, Official Report, column 196WA. Biological monitoring has also been carried out on several hundred UK troops and civilians involved in operations in Iraq. No DU was detected in anyone other than a small number of personnel who received shrapnel injuries in an incident involving friendly fire.This research is not specifically directed at examining the effects on Iraqis as the health of the Iraqi people is primarily the responsibility of their Government. However, as announced in the House on 29 January 2001, Official Report, column 61W, in relation to operations in the Balkans, the UK will provide help and advice to assist the relevant authorities to decide what action, if any, is needed. This also applies to Iraq. As part of this commitment, MOD has provided United Nations Environment Programme with information on its use of DU munitions in Iraq in 2003 and with a report of its monitoring activities in June 2003.
Secondary information
- Type
- Written question
- Reference
- 44461; 441 c1713W
- Session
- 2005-06
- Related items
- Subjects
- Ammunition Armed forces Civilians Contamination Iraq Radioactive materials Research Depleted uranium
- Link
- View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk
Librarians' tools
- Timestamp
- 2013-11-25 04:48:19 +0000
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- http://data.parliament.uk/pimsdata/Hansard/PARLIAMENTARY_QUESTION_1103015
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