Depleted Uranium: Waste Management
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where the gun
barrels used in test firing of depleted uranium shells at the Dundrennan
test range are stored; and whether they are to be sent to another site for
(a) long-term storage and (b) disposal. [194119]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The gun barrel used to fire CHARM 3 Depleted Uranium rounds, as part of the life extension trial firings on 11 and 12 March, at the Ministry of Defence's Kirkcudbright Range at Dundrennan, was previously stored at the Eskmeals Range in Cumbria.
20 rounds in total were fired and the barrel was monitored before and after each firing. On completion of the life extension trial the barrel and fume extractor were checked for any signs of contamination before being returned to Eskmeals on 13 March for further monitoring and to await disposal.
Disposal planning is at an early stage and it is therefore too early to confirm the disposal site. Any contaminated parts of the barrel would, however, be disposed of in accordance with arrangements agreed with the regulatory authorities responsible for environmental protection.
Weapons: Testing
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on which days in 2008 to date test firings of CHARM3 tank ammunition have taken place; what the reasons were for these test firings; and what further tests are planned in 2008. [194131]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Test firings of 20 rounds of 120 mm CHARM 3 Challenger Tank ammunition took place on 11 and 12 March 2008. No further firings are planned.
The CHARM 3 round is the main anti-armour nature used by the British Army
and there is an ongoing requirement for its capability.
The shelf life of the stockpile is due to expire in 2009 and, as is normal practice where there is a continuing requirement, arrangements were made to extend its life. As part of the life extension programme, rigorous in-service surveillance testing is required to ensure that the munitions remain safe and suitable for continued service. The final element of this process involved live proof firings at Kirkcudbright.
Bob Ainsworth MP was appointed Minister of State for the Armed Forces on 29 June 2007.
* Voted very strongly against a transparent Parliament.
* Voted strongly for introducing ID cards.
* Voted very strongly for Labour's anti-terrorism laws.
* Voted very strongly for the Iraq war.
* Voted very strongly against investigating the Iraq war.
* Voted very strongly for replacing Trident.
