§ 40. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that chemicals supplied to the Chemical Defence Department by certain manufacturers for testing respirators can be equally well used for offensive purposes; and whether it is the policy of the War Department to allow these manufacturers to acquire the necessary plant and experience so that they may be prepared for offence if requested?
§ Mr. COOPERCertain chemicals used for the testing of respirators could also be used illegally for offensive purposes, but it is not the policy of His Majesty's Government to use any chemicals for offensive purposes.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWill the hon. Gentleman reply to the last part of the question—whether the Government are enabling manufacturers to acquire the necessary plant and experience so that they may be prepared for offence, if requested?
§ Mr. COOPERThe Government are not enabling manufacturers to acquire any particular plant, nor do the Government prevent manufacturers from acquiring any plant which they wish to acquire.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIf it has been found necessary to obtain such chemicals, why should not the Government be responsible for their manufacture, so that there should be no incentive to produce for sale?
§ Mr. COOPERAs I have already said, the Government are only responsible for their manufacture with a view to defensive operations.
§ Mr. PIKEWill the Government hold themselves responsible for some of the poison gas produced from the Opposition benches?
§ 41. Mr. HICKSasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will give details of the steps being taken to provide for the protection of the civil population against chemical warfare; and whether he will assure the House that the work being done at Porton and Sutton Oak has no object in view other than defence?
§ Mr. COOPERAs indicated by my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council in the course of Debate on 10th November, the whole question of the protection of the civil population against attack from the air is under consideration by His Majesty's Government. Substantial progress has been made, but the stage has not yet been reached at which any detailed statement of the measures which are being taken with this object could usefully be made. As regards the last part of the question, the work at Sutton Oak and Porton has no object in view other than defence.