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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Alasdair Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many depleted uranium shells have been fired at hard targets in the Solway Firth from DERA's Kirkcudbright ranges; and what quantity of depleted uranium was used in each of the last five years; [125717] (2) if he will estimate the amount of depleted uranium particulate dust that has been released as a result of test firings of depleted uranium shells from DERA's Kirkcudbright ranges on hard targets in the Solway Firth in the last five years. [125718] Mr. Spellar: Although the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) conducts the depleted uranium (DU) firings at Kirkcudbright, ownership of the range, since 1 April 1997, has rested with the Army. There have been no deliberate firings of DU at hard targets at Kirkcudbright and, therefore, in the normal course of events there is no release of particulate dust. However, there have been three occasions in the last five years when shells have misfired and hit either the ground or the target gantry. A small amount of DU dust will have entered the atmosphere as a result of these events. Remedial action has been taken in each case and the contamination removed to the satisfaction of the regulatory bodies, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency(SEPA) and Dumfries and Galloway Council. Air samplers which have been running since 1997 have not detected any particulate DU in the atmosphere above background levels. A total number of DU shells fired at the range in each of the past five years is as follows: 1995: 280 1996: 147 1997: 749 1998: 134 1999: 111

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

352 c27W; 125717;125718

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Ammunition Contamination Defence Evaluation and Research Agency Depleted uranium Firing ranges Scottish Environment Protection Agency Solway Firth Kirkcudbright Training Area

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

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