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Written question asked by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Monday, 21 May 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 24 May 2012. It was answered by Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 24 May 2012 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.


Bomb Disposal

Question

(2) what the average response time was to bomb incidents by ammunition technical officers in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011 and (d) 2012; and if he will make a statement.

[109419]

Vernon Coaker:

Original answer

The number of call-outs by ammunition technical officers to viable explosive devices across the United Kingdom is shown in the following table. Viable devices are defined as those which contain the relevant components and are built in a manner which suggests that they would have successfully detonated prior to Explosive Ordnance Device team action. The figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

Number1
2008
50
2009
60
2010
50
2011
120
2012 (at 21 May)
30
1 This table does not show the total number of call-outs by ammunition technical officers—just those to viable devices.

Average response times are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

It has since been corrected.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
109419; 545 cc828-9W
Session
2012-13
Related items
Bomb Disposal
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
Written corrections
House of Commons
Subjects
Bomb disposal Standards
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk