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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what clean up operations he has put in place on the Crown Estate relating to the use of munitions containing depleted uranium.

Asked by

Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

12 March 2002

For answer on

20 March 2002

Answered on

20 March 2002

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what clean up operations he has put in place on the Crown Estate relating to the use of munitions containing depleted uranium. [43422] Dr. Moonie: As Eskmeals, depleted uranium (DU) rounds have been fired against hard targets and the resulting DU fragments and contaminated debris have been collected after each firing. The material has then been sent for disposal at the low-level radioactive waste repository at Drigg. Air filters from the target area have also been disposed of via this route. Some higher activity material, such as DU plate, which is not suitable for disposal at Drigg, remains in storage pending a national decision on future radioactive waste disposal strategies. Some steel targets contaminated with very low levels of DU are still stored at the site and options for the disposal of this material are currently being discussed with the Environment Agency. At Kirkudbright, the trials require the DU rounds to be fired through very soft targets (such as hessian sheets) and to travel out to sea. In this case, remediation is required only if an experimental round malfunctions and contaminates the range area. When such impact points have been located, samples of soil and vegetation have been collected to assess the degree of contamination: clean-up is then carried out if pre-set action levels have been exceeded. Specially marked drums have been kept at each firing point for storing contaminated material and the Radiation Protection Adviser has provided disposal advice on a case-by-case basis. At West Freugh, a small number of DU projectiles, weighing less than 25kg in total, were fired into the sea 2km below the low-water mark. There are no records of any DU projectiles accidentally striking the land in the region. The small number of DU rounds in the sea were not considered to pose a hazard which would warrant a clean-up operation. Foulness had an indoor facility, in which small experimental DU projectiles were fired between 1982 and 1983. The building was designed to prevent any escape of particulate DU into the atmosphere. It is no longer in use and was decontaminated in 1997.

Date

20 March 2002

Reference

43422; 382 c315W;382 c313W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the monitoring systems he has put in place to check the levels of depleted uranium entering the ground water and food chain from the use of munitions containing depleted uranium at Eskmeals and Kirkcudbright training...

Asked by

Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

20 March 2002

Reference

43415; 382 c314-5W;382 c312-3W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason test firing using depleted uranium contaminated gun barrels from Eskmeals was carried out at Shoeburyness; who authorised the transfer of the gun barrels; and if he will make a statement; pursuant to his Answer of 23rd November, Official Report,...

Asked by

Lord Cunningham of Felling (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

4 December 2001

Reference

376 c224-5W;376 c225-6W; 18970;18968;18969;18967

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) guns and (b) gun barrels used for the test firing of depleted uranium shells at Espmeals have been removed to another range not licensed for the testing of depleted uranium; who authorised such transfers; whether this complied with health and...

Asked by

Lord Cunningham of Felling (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

23 November 2001

Reference

375 c513-4W;375 c515-6W; 16885

House

House of Commons

Deposited Paper HINF 2001/1312

Deposited by

Ministry of Defence

Type

Deposited papers

Date

18 June 2001

Reference

HINF 2001/1312

House

House of Commons

Deposited Paper DEP 01/872

Deposited by

Ministry of Defence

Type

Deposited papers

Date

13 June 2001

Reference

DEP 01/872

House

House of Commons

Deposited Paper HINF 2001/1138

Deposited by

Ministry of Defence

Type

Deposited papers

Date

14 May 2001

Reference

HINF 2001/1138

House

House of Commons

Deposited Paper HINF 2001/762

Deposited by

Ministry of Defence

Type

Deposited papers

Date

26 March 2001

Reference

HINF 2001/762

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the methods used to contain, clean-up and immobilise depleted uranium particles fragmented by the test firing of depleted uranium shells at Eskmeals.

Asked by

Llew Smith (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

25 January 2001

Reference

145286; 361 c654W;361 c656W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the firing of depleted uranium projectiles first took place at Eskmeals; whether such tests have been discontinued; what independent environmental monitoring takes place at this site; if the results are published; and if he will make a statement. (Holding answer 11...

Asked by

Lord Cunningham of Felling (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

15 January 2001

Reference

361 c43-4W; 144772

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

Statement on which of his Department's test locations in the United Kingdom the firing of depleted uranium projectiles has taken place; how many test firings have been made at each location; what arrangements are in place for the protection and monitoring of people and the environment; and if he will...

Asked by

Lord Cunningham of Felling (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

8 January 2001

For answer on

15 January 2001

Answered on

15 January 2001

Dr. Jack Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at which of his Department's test locations in the United Kingdom the firing of depleted uranium projectiles has taken place; how many test firings have been made at each location; what arrangements are in place for the protection and monitoring of people and the environment; and if he will make a statement. [144771] Mr. Hoon: [holding answer 11 January 2001]: The majority of test firing of depleted uranium (DU) projectiles has been undertaken at two locations in the UK. These are at the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) range, Eskmeals and the Army's Kirkcudbright training range. My answer to the previous question in respect of Eskmeals refers. Operations at Kirkcudbright, which commenced in 1981, are currently undertaken by staff from DERA Eskmeals. The current programme is expected to be completed by the end of this year. In addition, some experimental firing of depleted uranium ammunition took place between 1988 and 1990 at the, now, DERA range at West Freugh. Ammunition from Phalanx was fired into Luce Bay to examine ricochet effects. Indoor firing also took place between 1982 and 1983 at the former Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) site at Foulness, which since 1999 has been part of the DERA Shoeburyness site. The building in which the firing took place was designed to prevent any escape of particulate DU into the atmosphere. It is no longer in use and was decontaminated in 1997. The number of test firings that has taken place is as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Rounds Eskmeals 3,246 Kirkcudbright {1}6,907 West Freugh 315 Foulness {2}200 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} To date {2} Approximately Statutory regulations govern the use of DU on ranges in the UK. These are the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, which controls radioactive waste discharges to the environment and the Ionising Radiations Regulations (IRR) 1999, which are part of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and enforced by the Health and Safety Executive. The work undertaken by DERA fully meets the provisions of this legislation. All staff involved in the depleted uranium firing programme were (and are) fully briefed on the safety aspects of working with DU before commencing work with this material. Although there is no legal requirement to do so, DERA local policy dictates that all staff working with DU are designated Classified Workers under both the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 and preceding legislation. As such, staff are subject to a `pre- employment' medical examination and are kept under surveillance by a medical practitioner appointed by the Health and Safety Executive. Exposure of individuals to ionising radiation is monitored by the use of thermoluminescent dosemeters supplied by DERA Radiation Protection Services (DRPS). Exposure to aerosol DU oxides is monitored by the use of personal air samplers. In addition, all members of staff working with depleted uranium in any calendar month are required to provide a sample of urine for uranium analysis at an independent laboratory. This is augmented by the use of the whole body monitoring facilities. Extensive environmental monitoring of the Eskmeals and Kirkcudbright sites has been carried out and annual reports produced since the start of the firing programme, originally by the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston. In 1993 WS Atkins Limited were commissioned to produce an independent Environmental Impact Assessment for both sites. This report concluded that activities at both locations produced a negligible impact on the local environment. It also made certain recommendations which were subsequently adopted for the ongoing environmental monitoring programme, now overseen by the DERA Radiation Protection Service (DRPS). The monitoring programme includes a strict, long-term environmental sampling routine in which checks are performed on many indicators such as grasses, streams, shellfish etc. None of the samples has ever indicated any concentration above the background level except for contamination in soil around firing and target sites. Copies of the annual reports are in the Members' Library at the House of Commons and are circulated to local Councils, MPs, and Environmental Protection Agencies.

Date

15 January 2001

Reference

361 c42-3W; 144771

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence;Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of (a) land contamination and (b) risk from unexploded or degraded ordnance (i) on land, (ii) on beaches and (iii) offshore at the DERA Eskmeals Range. - text of letter from John Chisholm of DERA. (Holding answer...

Asked by

Robert Key (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

28 July 2000

Reference

354 c918W; 132161

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence;Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people by (a) rank and (b) grade are employed at the DERA Eskmeals Range. - Inc figures and text of letter from Sir John Chisholm of Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. (Holding answer 25 July 2000).

Asked by

Robert Key (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

27 July 2000

Reference

354 c745W; 132158

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence;Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the projects undertaken at the DERA Eskmeals Range in (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 2000. - Inc list and text of letter from Sir John Chisholm of Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. (Holding answer 25 July 2000).

Asked by

Robert Key (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

27 July 2000

Reference

354 c744W;354 c744-5W; 132160

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence;Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what has been (a) the client income and (b) the cost of the DERA Eskmeals Range in each year since 1996. - Inc table and text of letter from John Chisholm of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. (Holding answer 25 July...

Asked by

Robert Key (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

19 July 2000

For answer on

27 July 2000

Answered on

27 July 2000

Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been (a) the client income and (b) the cost of the DERA Eskmeals Range in each year since 1996. [132159] Dr. Moonie: [holding answer 25 July 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member. Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Robert Key: dated 27 July 2000: I am replying to your parliamentary question about the financial operation of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) range at Eskmeals. The client income and the cost of the range in each year since 1996 is as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Financial year £ million 1996-97 Client income 5.2 Costs 8.5 1997-98 Client income 8.2 Costs 8.4 1998-99 Client income 5.0 Costs 7.3 1999-2000 Client income 3.3 Costs 5.9 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. The above figures in respect of client income exclude a capability retention levy with is paid by the Ministry of Defence to ensure that strategic technical capabilities are maintained. I hope the above is helpful.

Date

27 July 2000

Reference

354 c745W;354 c745-6W; 132159

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to make a decision on the proposed transfer of work from Shoeburyness to Eskmeals.

Asked by

Teddy Taylor (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

30 July 1998

Reference

317 c457W; 53824

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the total income accruing to the Shoeburyness and Eskmeals ranges in respect of all income raising activities in each of the past five years and separately identifying that part of the site income which stems from the strategic...

Asked by

Teddy Taylor (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

27 July 1998

For answer on

30 July 1998

Answered on

30 July 1998

Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the total income accruing to the Shoeburyness and Eskmeals ranges in respect of all income raising activities in each of the past five years and separately identifying that part of the site income which stems from the strategic pricing initiative. [53823] Mr. Spellar: The total income accruing to the Shoeburyness and Eskmeals ranges in respect of all income raising activities in each of the previous three years is as follows: £000 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Shoeburyness Eskmeals 1995-96 25,603 5,365 1996-97 17,834 5,180 1997-98 20,896 8,759 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Information on a comparable basis prior to the inclusion of the ranges in the Trading Agency in 1995 is not available. The income accruing to the Shoeburyness and Eskmeals ranges in respect of the Strategic Pricing Initiative which operated for 1997-98, and is included in the above figures, was as follows: £000 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1997-98 Shoeburyness 6,244 Eskmeals 600 _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Date

30 July 1998

Reference

317 c457-8W; 53823

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 27 July 1998, Official Report column 39, for what reasons in his summary of the income accruing to the various ranges, he included in note 1 the SPI total of £600,000 within the income of the Eskmeals...

Asked by

Teddy Taylor (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

30 July 1998

Reference

317 c458W; 53821

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what reviews he is currently conducting on the (a) health and (b) environmental implications of the firing of depleted uranium shells at (i) Kirkcudbright test range at Dundrennan, (ii) Eskmeals in Cumbria and (iii) in Iraq, by British forces. - Inc ref...

Asked by

Llew Smith (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

29 April 1998

For answer on

13 May 1998

Answered on

13 May 1998

Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reviews he is currently conducting on the (a) health and (b) environmental implications of the firing of depleted uranium shells at (i) Kirkcudbright test range at Dundrennan, (ii) Eskmeals in Cumbria and (iii) in Iraq, by British forces. [40633] Mr. Spellar: Comprehensive environmental sampling programmes are in place at both Eskmeals and Kirkcudbright ranges where depleted uranium ammunition is fired. To date, calculated public radiation doses from all direct and indirect routes have been trivial, representing much less than 1 per cent. of the national annual radiation dose limit for members of the public. These monitoring programmes will continue until such time as the Environmental Agency considers that no further monitoring is necessary. The monitoring data is provided to the relevant local councils and environmental agencies. No specific review of the environmental and health effects of firing depleted uranium ammunition in Iraq has been undertaken by the Ministry of Defence, nor is any review currently being carried out. To the best of our knowledge, no specific UK studies have been conducted into the potential environmental effects of depleted uranium contamination on the battlefield. The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency has, however, undertaken an assessment of the health effects on personnel exposed to depleted uranium under battlefield conditions. A summary of this report, `Radiological and Chemical Hazards of Depleted Uranium', has already been placed in the Library of the House. This report concluded that there was no indication that any UK troops had been subjected to harmful over-exposure to depleted uranium during the Gulf War.

Date

13 May 1998

Reference

312 c128-9W; 40633

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the reductions in total spending at DERA in Shoeburyness in consequence of the transfer of work to Eskmeals; and what will be the additional costs involved in carrying out this work at Eskmeals. - Includes figures....

Asked by

Teddy Taylor (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

24 April 1998

Reference

310 c715W; 36388

House

House of Commons

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