§ 47. Mr. AMMONasked the Prime Minister if he will set up a public Committee to inquire into the practice of subjecting young soldiers to the effects of poison gases for experimental purposes at the chemical warfare research department?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Captain Douglas King)I have been asked to reply. I think that there is no need for a public Committee of Inquiry. The conditions under which exposure of personnel to gas is carried out are carefully regulated in accordance with the best medical and scientific 602 advice, and the experiments are under the direction of fully qualified medical officers.
§ Mr. AMMONHas the hon. and gallant Member seen the statement in a Conservative organ of public opinion, to the effect that young soldiers are submitted to this experiment, and many of them are permanently injured in their lungs, and have no compensation or redress given to them? Is anything being done in this matter?
§ Mr. WESTWOODIs this experiment only carried out upon young soldiers, or is it carried out on young soldiers and young officers?
Captain HOPEMay I say for the information of the hon. Member opposite that I was one of the young officers on whom this experiment was made, and I suffered no injury whatever.
§ Captain KINGMay I point out to the hon. Member that there are other questions on the Paper dealing with this subject to which I am going to give answers.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYAre these experiments voluntary? Are-soldiers invited to volunteer, or is it compulsory upon them?
§ Captain KINGYes, the experiments are entirely carried out on volunteers.
§ Mr. AMMONIs it not a fact that an experiment of this kind is of no value unless it is strong enough to injure someone?
§ Captain KINGCertainly these experiments are valuable, but perhaps the hon. Member will wait until I give my replies to the other questions which are down on the Paper on this subject.