Written question asked by Peter Duncan (Conservative) on Monday, 3 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 7 February 2003. It was answered by Lord Moonie (Labour) on Friday, 7 February 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions have taken place with the Health and Safety Executive over the effects of test-firing depleted uranium shells.

Answer: Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions have taken place with the Health and Safety Executive over the effects of test- firing depleted uranium shells. [95977] Dr. Moonie: No recent discussions have taken place with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) over the effects of test-firing depleted uranium (DU) shells. All firings are subject to regulation under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999, which are enforced by the HSE. The HSE needs only to be notified if a new process is used; the processes used for firing DU have not changed since the firing programme began. HSE representatives last visited Kirkcudbright range in January 2001 and confirmed they were content with the health and safety arrangements for firing DU.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 95977; 399 c463W;399 c461W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Disclosure of information Ammunition Health and Safety Executive Monitoring Depleted uranium Firing ranges Kirkcudbright Training Area
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk