To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the Government are (a) conducting and (b) contributing to studies into the effects of depleted uranium ammunition on the population of Iraq as referred to in the answer of 20 October 2004, Official Report, column 714W. (152214)

I have been asked to reply.

Research into the effects of depleted uranium (DU) specifically on the population of Iraq is primarily the responsibility of the Government of Iraq. However, the scientific literature already contains a substantial number of reports which indicate that DU has not had, and is very unlikely to have, any significant impact on the population.

As announced in the House on 20 July 2005, Official Report, column 1755W, and 23 January 2006, Official Report, column 1713W, we will provide help and advice to assist the Government of Iraq and other authorities such as the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) in any further research they may undertake. MOD has provided information on its use of DU munitions and on its monitoring in Iraq in 2003. MOD officials attended a UNEP seminar at which DU matters, including environmental monitoring and sampling techniques, were discussed with Iraqi scientists. More recently, MOD provided Iraqi scientists with protective equipment to carry out DU contamination surveys and with information on the composition of the DU used in UK munitions.