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Bomb Disposal

Bomb Disposal

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on how many occasions ammunition technical officers were called to viable explosive devices in (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010, (d) 2011 and (e) 2012;

[109388]

(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]

[Official Report, 24 May 2012, Vol. 545, c. 828-29W.]

Letter of correction from Nick Harvey:

An error has been identified in the written answer given to the hon. Member for Gedling (Vernon Coaker) on 24 May 2012. The answer stated the actual number of viable devices found, rather than the number of call-outs.

The full answer given was as follows:

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.

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

The correct answer should have been:

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

The correct answer should have been:

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.