asked the Minister for Defence if he will confirm that regulations require that during firing practice of mortars 81 per cent HE that a doctor and an ambulance must be present on the range and if, on 26 May 1977, these regulations had not been complied with at the Glen of Imaal; and the steps which have since been taken to ensure compliance with these regulations.
Written Answers. - Mortar Firing Practice.
615.
Military instructions relating to the medical precautions which must be observed during firing practice for the 81mm mortar require that a medical NCO with an ambulance must be present. There is no requirement for a medical officer to attend.
These instructions were complied with on the occasion in question.
616.
asked the Minister for Defence if the ammunition which caused a premature explosion on 26 May, 1977 at the Glen of Imaal was 25 years old and if the supplementing charges were of the old unmodified type which had been withdrawn from use in 1962; and the steps which have been taken to prevent the issue of out-of-date materials.
The serviceability of ammunition is established by laboratory testing and proof firing. The ammunition involved in the incident referred to by the Deputy was proof tested in 1976 and found to be fully serviceable.
617.
asked the Minister for Defence if a training manual on the mortar 81 per cent HE in use for more than forty years had been found to contain errors; if this manual has now been withdrawn; and if the reason such an important manual in regular use was so defective has been established.
The revision of training manuals is an ongoing process and is carried out in the light of new developments, experience gained, changes in equipment, procedures and organisation. Consequently, the relevant manual has been revised on numerous occasions since 1940 with a view to incorporating new developments, procedures, etc., as follows: 1957, 1967-68, 1975 and 1978.