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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what warnings were given to British troops about the use of ammunition containing depleted uranium prior to (a) the Gulf War and (b) service in Kosovo; [140493] (2) what measures were taken to ensure that British troops serving in the Gulf War were protected against ingesting radioactive particles from depleted uranium. [140494] Mr. Spellar: Early in the 1990-1991 Gulf conflict, the Ministry of Defence decided that the DU-based tank round should be brought into service to give our forces a better capability against Iraqi tanks. At the same time a bulletin was produced setting out safety procedures. Explosive ordnance disposal personnel, whose work entailed a direct risk of significant exposure, were provided with detailed instructions on the precautions that they should take to protect their health. Instructions were also issued to Ordnance Corps personnel involved in the handling, transportation and storage of the ammunition. It appears that tank crews and other personnel, were not issued with such advice. This omission was publicly recognised by MOD in July 1993. More recently, a copy of a signal message dated 25 February 1991, from the MOD to one Armoured Division in Saudi Arabia, has been found. The signal provides advice on measures to be taken to prevent exposure to respirable DU dust hazards. Although it is suggested that a subsequent signal was sent promulgating the advice to other units in theatre, so far, no evidence has been found among contemporary records to substantiate whether this advice was in fact promulgated. Service personnel deployed to Kosovo are given appropriate force protection advice including available appropriate protective equipment, including gloves and respiratory equipment, which they should wear if they encounter targets suspected of being damaged by DU-based ammunition.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

357 c727W;357 c726-7W; 140493;140494

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Ammunition Armed forces Health hazards Iraq-Kuwait conflict Radiation exposure Safety measures Warnings Kosovo Depleted uranium

Link

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