§ 44. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has studied a proposal, a copy of which has been sent to him, made at a recent international conference in London relating to the work of the Microbiological Research Establishment at Porton; and what action he proposes to take in this matter.
§ Mr. MasonI assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the recent proposal for the work of the Microbiological Research Establishment to be declassified. I would refer him to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 11th March.—[Vol. 760, c. 230.]
§ Mr. JenkinsCan my right hon. Friend say how many of the doctors at Porton are concerned with developing methods of spreading disease?
§ Mr. MasonNo, Sir, I cannot give figures of the people working there, but as for the work itself, M.R.E. assesses the threat of biological warfare and seeks to find means to prepare a defence.