§ 11. Mr. DUNNICOasked the Secretary of State for War whether, with regard to the fact that at the camp of the chemical warfare research department at Salisbury Plain experiments are being carried out to test the relative effects of poison gas on soldiers, he will say whether any men subjected to these tests have been seriously and permanently injured in their lungs and otherwise; and whether he is prepared to put a stop to such experiments?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)No men have suffered injury to their lungs or otherwise through being subjected to these tests. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. AMMONDoes the right hon. Baronet deny the accuracy of the statement which was made on the 21st March to the effect that numbers of young men have been permanently injured in their lungs?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI have not seen the statement referred to, and am obliged to the hon. Gentleman for calling my attention to it.
§ 14. Mr. AMMONasked the Secretary of State for War, with regard to the experiments as to the effect of poison gases on young soldiers which are conducted at the chemical warfare research department, the number of such 1076 experiments, and the number of young soldiers engaged in them, since 1918?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe number of such experiments since 1918 is 372, and the number of soldiers engaged in them 188. All these soldiers voluntarily offered themselves for this special duty.
§ Mr. MACKINDERDo these soldiers receive any extra pay-in respect of the risk which they undoubtedly run?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSYes, Sir, they do.
§ 15. Mr. AMMONasked the Secretary of State for War the nature of the experiments conducted at the Chemical Warfare Research Department by subjecting young soldiers to the effects of poison gases; what precautions are taken to prevent such experiments resulting in injury to the young soldiers concerned; and the number of young soldiers who have been injured in their lungs and otherwise since 1918?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe experiments fall under three categories:—
All such experiments have been carried out under most stringent regulations, which have been framed on the best medical advice obtainable, in order that the health of the observers concerned may be safeguarded. There have been no cases in which injury to the lungs or otherwise has been caused to soldiers since 1918.
- (1) Exposure to low concentration of gases to ascertain their physiological properties.
- (2) Exposure to gas of personnel protected by respirators in order to test the protective efficiency of the respirators.
- (3) Tests on skin of human personnel of new compounds to ascertain their irritant action, if any.
§ Mr. MONTAGUECan the Minister say what are the psychological effects of these gases?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON - EVANSThat is a question of which I should certainly like to have notice.