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Deposited Paper HINF 2000/1987

Deposited by

Ministry of Defence

Type

Deposited papers

Date

20 December 2000

Reference

HINF 2000/1987

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of (a) the health risks and (b) actual health damage to people in Iraq arising from exposure to depleted uranium used for bombing. (Also printed with answer from FCO at 361 c594W on 24.01.2001).

Asked by

Alan Simpson (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

20 December 2000

Reference

143502; 360 c203W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what levels of depleted uranium radiation were found on the Iraqi (a) main battle tanks, (b) other armoured vehicles (A vehicles), (c) soft skinned vehicles (B vehicles), (d) vehicle mounted artillery systems, (e) field artillery and (f) anti-aircraft gun systems recovered by...

Asked by

Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

7 December 2000

For answer on

20 December 2000

Answered on

20 December 2000

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what levels of depleted uranium radiation were found on the Iraqi (a) main battle tanks, (b) other armoured vehicles (A vehicles), (c) soft skinned vehicles (B vehicles), (d) vehicle mounted artillery systems, (e) field artillery and (f) anti-aircraft gun systems recovered by British armed forces from the Gulf War and brought to the UK; and if he will make a statement. [142164] Mr. Spellar: Iraqi equipment of the types described was surveyed for the presence of radioactive material generally and was not tested specifically for depleted uranium (DU). These surveys would have detected any contamination levels at which special health and safety precautions defined in Statutory Instruments would have had to be introduced. No DU levels above five becquerels per square centimetre were found during Iraqi equipment monitoring and therefore no special precautions were needed under current or past legislation. Between 1985 and 1999, the relevant legislation was the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985 and controlled and supervised contamination areas existed when DU contamination levels exceeded 60 and 20 becquerels per square centimetre respectively. Controlled contamination areas are those in which personal protective equipment is generally worn and where washing, monitoring and decontamination facilities are immediately available. Supervised contamination areas present a lower level of risk and the principal requirement is for these areas to be monitored to prove that contamination levels are not increasing towards controlled area levels. From January 2000, the corresponding controlled and supervised contamination area levels were increased to 82 and 27 becquerels per square centimetre respectively. This change results from the introduction of new legislation and a re-evaluation of dose coefficients by the International Commission on Radiological Protection.

Date

20 December 2000

Reference

360 c179-80W; 142164

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the findings of (a) his Department's Medical Assessment Programme and (b) independent scientists concerning the level of depleted uranium in the urine of some sick Gulf War veterans. - Including ref to Testing for the presence...

Asked by

Valerie Davey (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

6 December 2000

For answer on

12 December 2000

Answered on

12 December 2000

Valerie Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the findings of (a) his Department's Medical Assessment Programme and (b) independent scientists concerning the level of depleted uranium in the urine of some sick Gulf War veterans. [142032] Mr. Spellar: My Department's policy on testing Gulf veterans for uranium was set out in the paper: `Testing for the presence of depleted uranium in UK veterans of the Gulf conflict: The Current Position', dated 19 March 1999, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. The paper describes the possible health effects of exposure to depleted uranium and the circumstances that might lead to an individual being tested for the presence of uranium. Tests would be conducted only on the basis of clinical indications. Between one and five people examined by the Ministry of Defence's (MOD's) Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme physicians have exhibited symptoms that, in the judgment of the examining physicians, have indicated a clinical requirement for testing to detect uranium and have been tested. These test results show that uranium, in any form, is not a contributory factor to the patient's ill health. MOD is aware of the various testing work which has been undertaken in Canada and the United States. Despite numerous requests, we have still yet to see scientifically robust results from the work from Dr. Durakovic, Dr. Sharma and Dr. Horan. MOD will continue to make requests for such evidence so that we can move forward on a scientific basis. Recognising that this has caused veterans some concern, my Department has offered to arrange independent depleted uranium testing for those UK veterans who had their urine tested for depleted uranium in Canada. A draft protocol under which that testing might take place was sent to veterans' representatives on 1 November 1999 for comment. My officials are hoping to have further discussions on this protocol with veterans and their representatives early in the new year. Since 1993, a clinic based at the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center has run a depleted uranium follow-up programme for 33 US Gulf veterans (namely those whose records showed they had been hospitalised for wounds received in friendly fire incidents), which includes 15 who have embedded depleted uranium shrapnel in their bodies. To date, any health impairments among those being monitored appear to be related to their original injuries rather than to depleted uranium. Their scores on standard neuropsychological tests showed no divergence from the normally expected responses. None of the 33 is excreting higher than usual levels of uranium, except those with embedded shrapnel. We continue to monitor the work. My Department is keeping an open mind on the issue of depleted uranium, pending further research.

Date

12 December 2000

Reference

359 c69-70W;359 c67-8W; 142032

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason ill Gulf veterans have not been offered tests for exposure to depleted uranium. - Ref to 29 November 2000, 357 c643W.

Asked by

Tam Dalyell (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

30 November 2000

Reference

357 c727W;357 c726W; 140492

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what warnings were given to British troops about the use of ammunition containing depleted uranium prior to (a) the Gulf War and (b) service in Kosovo; what measures were taken to ensure that British troops serving in the Gulf War were protected...

Asked by

Tam Dalyell (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

22 November 2000

For answer on

30 November 2000

Answered on

30 November 2000

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what warnings were given to British troops about the use of ammunition containing depleted uranium prior to (a) the Gulf War and (b) service in Kosovo; [140493] (2) what measures were taken to ensure that British troops serving in the Gulf War were protected against ingesting radioactive particles from depleted uranium. [140494] Mr. Spellar: Early in the 1990-1991 Gulf conflict, the Ministry of Defence decided that the DU-based tank round should be brought into service to give our forces a better capability against Iraqi tanks. At the same time a bulletin was produced setting out safety procedures. Explosive ordnance disposal personnel, whose work entailed a direct risk of significant exposure, were provided with detailed instructions on the precautions that they should take to protect their health. Instructions were also issued to Ordnance Corps personnel involved in the handling, transportation and storage of the ammunition. It appears that tank crews and other personnel, were not issued with such advice. This omission was publicly recognised by MOD in July 1993. More recently, a copy of a signal message dated 25 February 1991, from the MOD to one Armoured Division in Saudi Arabia, has been found. The signal provides advice on measures to be taken to prevent exposure to respirable DU dust hazards. Although it is suggested that a subsequent signal was sent promulgating the advice to other units in theatre, so far, no evidence has been found among contemporary records to substantiate whether this advice was in fact promulgated. Service personnel deployed to Kosovo are given appropriate force protection advice including available appropriate protective equipment, including gloves and respiratory equipment, which they should wear if they encounter targets suspected of being damaged by DU-based ammunition.

Date

30 November 2000

Reference

357 c727W;357 c726-7W; 140493;140494

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the effects of depleted uranium on the health of British troops in Yugoslavia. - Inc fact that will write and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Asked by

Austin Mitchell (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

30 November 2000

Reference

357 c726W;357 c727W; 141209

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations were made to his Department at the International Conference on Hazards of Depleted Uranium in November; and if he will make a statement on progress on the testing of former (a) servicemen and women and (b) medical auxiliaries who served...

Asked by

Llew Smith (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

29 November 2000

Reference

357 c643W;357 c642W; 140515

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department was represented at the meeting held in Paris at the beginning of September on the health implications for servicemen and medical auxiliaries of inhalation of depleted uranium during Operation Granby in Kuwait/Iraq in 1991; and if he will examine...

Asked by

Llew Smith (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

23 October 2000

Reference

134170; 355 c39-40W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what reports he has evaluated of health problems among servicemen deployed in Kosovo attributable to contact with depleted uranium.

Asked by

Tam Dalyell (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

21 June 2000

Reference

125934; 352 c191W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many depleted uranium shells have been fired at hard targets in the Solway Firth from DERA's Kirkcudbright ranges; and what quantity of depleted uranium was used in each of the last five years; if he will estimate the amount of depleted...

Asked by

Alasdair Morgan (Scottish National Party)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

8 June 2000

For answer on

19 June 2000

Answered on

19 June 2000

Mr. Alasdair Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many depleted uranium shells have been fired at hard targets in the Solway Firth from DERA's Kirkcudbright ranges; and what quantity of depleted uranium was used in each of the last five years; [125717] (2) if he will estimate the amount of depleted uranium particulate dust that has been released as a result of test firings of depleted uranium shells from DERA's Kirkcudbright ranges on hard targets in the Solway Firth in the last five years. [125718] Mr. Spellar: Although the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) conducts the depleted uranium (DU) firings at Kirkcudbright, ownership of the range, since 1 April 1997, has rested with the Army. There have been no deliberate firings of DU at hard targets at Kirkcudbright and, therefore, in the normal course of events there is no release of particulate dust. However, there have been three occasions in the last five years when shells have misfired and hit either the ground or the target gantry. A small amount of DU dust will have entered the atmosphere as a result of these events. Remedial action has been taken in each case and the contamination removed to the satisfaction of the regulatory bodies, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency(SEPA) and Dumfries and Galloway Council. Air samplers which have been running since 1997 have not detected any particulate DU in the atmosphere above background levels. A total number of DU shells fired at the range in each of the past five years is as follows: 1995: 280 1996: 147 1997: 749 1998: 134 1999: 111

Date

19 June 2000

Reference

352 c27W; 125717;125718

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many depleted uranium shells have been (a) fired and (b) recovered from the DERA establishment at Dundrennan in each of the last three years; if the test firing of depleted uranium shells at the DERA establishment at Dundrennan, Kirkcudbrightshire is continuing....

Asked by

Alasdair Morgan (Scottish National Party)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

14 June 2000

Reference

351 c644W; 124697;124718

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what amounts of beryllium and depleted uranium are left on site at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Llanishen Cardiff; and when he expects the site will be free from contamination. - (Holding answer 16 May 2000).

Asked by

Julie Morgan (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

18 May 2000

Reference

122391; 350 c204W;350 c206W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the United States about the use of depleted uranium-tipped shells in Serbia. - (Holding answer 3 April 2000).

Asked by

Tam Dalyell (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

6 April 2000

Reference

347 c555W; 117112

House

House of Commons

Deposited Paper HINF 2000/553

Deposited by

Ministry of Defence

Type

Deposited papers

Date

29 March 2000

Reference

HINF 2000/553

House

House of Commons

Deposited Paper HINF 2000/467

Deposited by

Ministry of Defence

Type

Deposited papers

Date

15 March 2000

Reference

HINF 2000/467

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many rounds of depleted uranium shells were fired by coalition forces during the Gulf War; how many were fired by UK tanks; how many UK tanks carried depleted uranium shells; and if he will make a statement. - Includes figures.

Asked by

Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

14 March 2000

Reference

346 c103-4W; 113956

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps are taken to protect personnel in training and operational areas exposed to discharged depleted uranium ammunition. - (Holding answer 7 March 2000).

Asked by

Margaret Ewing (Scottish National Party)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

14 March 2000

Reference

346 c103W; 112839

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent research he has commissioned into a substitute for depleted uranium ammunition. - (Holding answer 7 March 2000).

Asked by

Margaret Ewing (Scottish National Party)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

8 March 2000

Reference

345 c715W; 112840

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many veterans he expects to be tested for depleted uranium; what will be the cost; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures. (Holding answer 6 March 2000).

Asked by

Robert Key (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

7 March 2000

Reference

345 c652-3W; 112968

House

House of Commons

Librarians' tools

Type

House

Session

Month

Department

Member

Primary member

Answering member

Legislative stage

Legislation

Subject

Publisher