Written question asked by Caroline Lucas (Green Party) on Thursday, 23 March 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 March 2023. It was answered by James Heappey (Conservative) on Thursday, 30 March 2023 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ammunition: Depleted Uranium

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/77/49 adopted by the General Assembly on 7 December 2022, if he has responded to the invitation to Member States in the Resolution to communicate to the Secretary-General the UK’s views on the effects of the use of armaments and ammunitions containing depleted uranium; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The UK, jointly with France and the United States, provided an Explanation of Vote in response to UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/77/49 regarding our position on the effects of the use of depleted uranium munitions. The UK notes that inquiries by the World Health Organization, the United Nations Environmental Program, the International Atomic Energy Agency and others has documented no long-term environmental or health effects attributable to the use of these munitions.

Secondary information