Written question asked by David Chaytor (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 October 2002. It was answered by Lord Moonie (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 October 2002 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assistance his Department has given in the last five years resulting from British nuclear testing in Kiribati.

Answer: Mr. Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance his Department has given in the last five years resulting from British nuclear testing in Kiribati. [73970] Dr. Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence arranged and took part in a specialist Reconnaissance Survey on Kiritimati during September 1998 to identify the types and quantities of waste materials, including an assessment of environmental risks, arising from the island's use as a base for the United Kingdom's nuclear test programme in the late 1950s and early 1960s. A further visit was made to Kiritimati in August 2000 by MOD and independent specialists to gather further detailed information for the proposed clean-up project. The clean-up of the waste material is to be undertaken by Contractors appointed and managed by specialists in the MOD. Preparatory work is currently underway with the actual clean-up work on site expected to start in 2003.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 73970; 390 c543W;390 c544-5W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Nuclear weapons Radioactive waste Testing Radioactive fallout Kiribati
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk