Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 7 May 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 14 May 1998. It was answered by Lord Reid of Cardowan (Labour) on Thursday, 14 May 1998 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what agreements are in place in respect of the cost of, and timetable for, removal of polluted matter from RAF bases, where that matter can reasonably be assumed to have been caused by visiting US forces.

Answer: Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what agreements are in place in respect of the cost of, and timetable for, removal of polluted matter from RAF bases, where that matter can reasonably be assumed to have been caused by visiting US forces. [41777] Dr. Reid: In the case of returned sites, under the terms of the confidential UK/US bilateral cost sharing arrangement, responsibility lies with the Ministry of Defence for rectifying any contamination caused by defence activities which may subsequently be discovered. United States Visiting Forces are expected to observe and abide by environmental protection standards at least equal to UK legislative requirements. If environmental pollution were discovered at a base made available to the United States Visiting Forces, they would normally be responsible for ensuring that the appropriate remedial action was carried out. The timescales for the removal of polluted matter would have to be set on a case by case basis.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 41777; 312 c214W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Armed forces Deployment Air force Environment protection Military bases USA