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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the monitoring systems he has put in place to check the levels of depleted uranium entering the ground water and food chain from the use of munitions containing depleted uranium at Eskmeals and Kirkcudbright training areas. [43415] Dr. Moonie: Comprehensive environmental monitoring programmes have been in place at both Eskmeals and Kirkcudbright ever since the beginning of the DU munitions trials announced in the House in 1979. These programmes have focused on the collection and analysis of samples of soil, vegetation, freshwater, seawater, seaweed, molluscs and seabed and shoreline sediments. Faecal samples from domestic and wild animals have also been collected on an opportunity basis. This monitoring continues to show that DU does not pose a significant risk to members of the public or site personnel. Other Government Departments with statutory health and safety and environmental protection responsibilities were consulted while these programmes were being established, and their successors, principally the Environment Agency and Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, continue to be advised of the nature and results of the monitoring activities. The local councils also receive copies of the annual environmental monitoring reports for both sites. The Ministry of Defence also made a commitment on 13 May 1998, Official Report, columns 128-29W, to continue these monitoring activities for as long as the regulatory authorities consider necessary.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

43415; 382 c314-5W;382 c312-3W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Ammunition Environment protection Health hazards Monitoring Radioactive materials Depleted uranium Firing ranges Kirkcudbright Training Area Eskmeals

Link

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