§ 6. Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Minister of State for Defence what reductions in the number of bacteriologists employed by his Department he expects, following the Government's signing of the international Biological Weapons Convention.
§ Lord BalnielNone, Sir. The staff in question are not engaged in activities banned by the convention.
§ Mr. HughesCan the right hon. Gentleman say what these bacteriologists are employed in doing if their work is in no way connected with activities which under the convention are banned?
§ Lord BalnielThe hon. Gentleman knows from a previous answer which I gave him that the Ministry of Defence establishment consists of 44 scientific grade staff. The majority are employed at the Microbiological Research Establishment, Porton. The balance are employed at the Institute of Naval Medicine and the Royal Army Medical College, mainly in training and lecturing duties, and at the Admiralty Materials Laboratory.
§ Sir H. Legge-BourkeWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that those of us who have visited the establishment at Porton cannot but have been impressed by the dedication of these people to the defence of this nation?
§ Lord BalnielMy hon. Friend is entirely correct. The scientific staff are performing a task of very considerable importance for the defence of this country.