Written question asked by Madeleine Moon (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 December 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 December 2009. It was answered by Lord Davies of Stamford (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 December 2009 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

St. Kilda: Radar

Question: (2) what measures are in place to prevent the leakage of oil into seawater from his Department's facilities in the vicinity of St. Kilda.

Answer: No oil leakages from Ministry of Defence facilities on or in the vicinity of St. Kilda has been recorded during the last three years.The Bulk Fuel Installation (BFI) located on St. Kilda, in support of activity at the MOD Hebrides Range, is compliant with the current legal standard, the Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland) Regulations 2006.Ship-to-shore replenishment of the BFI is undertaken in compliance with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency approved "St Kilda Oil Spillage Response Plan", prepared in accordance with the merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Convention) Regulations 1998.A number of measures are in place to protect the environment from spills and leakage. The oil tanks and associated equipment are enclosed within a physical containment barrier, known as a bund. As an additional precaution, the fuel connection points, pipe-work, valves, vent points, sight glass, rainwater sump, oil-water interceptors, and spillage kits are protected against the effects of ice.Vehicle refuelling on the island is undertaken within the containment area. The refuelling pump is only operated by authorised personnel, and is locked when not in use.

Secondary information