Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 October 1996. It was answered by Lord Soames of Fletching (Conservative) on Tuesday, 15 October 1996 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: What studies his Department has commissioned on the levels of (a) toxic and (b) other pollution at military bases in Wales; and what publications his Department has issued in this respect over the past 12 months.

Answer: Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies his Department has commissioned on the levels of (a) toxic and (b) other pollution at military bases in Wales; and what publications his Department has issued in this respect over the past 12 months. [40518] Mr. Soames: My Department is introducing a procedure of land quality assessment to establish the condition of individual sites and detect the presence of contaminants on the defence estate, and where appropriate make recommendations for and implementation of remediation. Given the extent of the defence estate, a prioritised programme for this work is being drawn up. Land quality assessment work is being undertaken at the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency sites at Aberporth, Llanbedr and Pendine, and an assessment of RAF Caerwent was commissioned on 4 October 1996. My Department has not issued any publications about the level of contamination at military sites in Wales during the last 12 months.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 40518; 282 c861W;282 c859W
Session: 1995-96
Subjects: Armed forces Deployment Land Flood control Hazardous substances Pollution Ministry of Defence Wales Waste