Written question asked by Alasdair Morgan (Scottish National Party) on Thursday, 1 June 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 June 2000. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 June 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many depleted uranium shells have been (a) fired and (b) recovered from the DERA establishment at Dundrennan in each of the last three years; if the test firing of depleted uranium shells at the DERA establishment at Dundrennan, Kirkcudbrightshire is continuing. - Includes table.

Answer: Mr. Alasdair Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many depleted uranium shells have been (a) fired and (b) recovered from the DERA establishment at Dundrennan in each of the last three years; [124697] (2) if the test firing of depleted uranium shells at the DERA establishment at Dundrennan, Kirkcudbrightshire is continuing. [124718] Mr. Spellar: The number of depleted uranium shells fired at the range in each of the last three years is as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number 1997 749 1998 134 1999 111 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. During this period only one projectile has been recovered. This was in October 1997 when a fishing vessel trawled up one in the Solway Firth. Current planning proposes a programme of DU firings up to October 2001.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 351 c644W; 124697;124718
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Ammunition Radiation exposure Testing Defence Evaluation and Research Agency Depleted uranium Firing ranges Kirkcudbright Training Area
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk