HC Deb 10 April 1984 vol 58 cc189-91
11. Mr. Robert Atkins

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if Her Majesty's Government will re-assess the United Kingdom strategy on chemical and biological weapons.

Mr. Heseltine

The United Kingdom, together with its allies, is committed to achieving a verifiable comprehensive ban on chemical weapons at the conference on disarmament in Geneva. The United Kingdom, like the Soviet Union and the United States, is also bound by the 1972 biological weapons convention, which bans development, possession and stockpiling of these weapons.

Mr. Atkins

As it is arguable that the proliferation of chemical weapons would increase the possibility of a war involving chemical weapons, and bearing in mind our support for the Government's policy of negotiating for reduction in such weapons, does my right hon. Friend believe that an offensive capability is needed in the United Kingdom as well as in the United States?

Mr. Heseltine

I am aware of the potential threat from Soviet stockpiles of those weapons, but I believe that the Government's priority is right in seeking comprehensive and verifiable arms controls, to which our energy is deployed.

Mr. Meadowcroft

To what extent does the current non-weapon research at Porton involve the production of toxic agents for testing purposes?

Mr. Heseltine

We are totally restricted to defensive capabilities, to ensure that we have the ability to protect our soldiers or members of the other armed services in the event of attack.

Mr. Key

Does my right hon. Friend agree that were it not for the work done at Porton Down, in which the British are leading the world in protection against chemical and biological weapons, we would not be in such a strong position to settle the problem in world terms?

Mr. Heseltine

I am sure that my hon. Friend is right. We cannot ignore the substantial Soviet offensive capability. It is right that we should review our defensive capabilities in the face of that.

Mr. McNamara

Is the Secretary of State aware that the Opposition support the Government in seeking a proper and effective worldwide ban on the use of chemical and biological weapons? Is he further aware that we would support him wholeheartedly in not giving way to pressures from Conservative Back Benchers or senior officers of the armed services who urge that a chemical capability should be vested in Her Majesty's armed forces?

Mr. Heseltine

I hear what the hon. Gentleman has to say, but he must be aware that my hon. Friends and members of the armed services, to whom he referred, must consider the possibility that the Soviets may have very large stockpiles of offensive weapons based in forward positions.

12. Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied that appropriate defensive arrangements are in place to enable Her Majesty's Government forces to withstand a major attack by chemical weapons.

Mr. Heseltine

A substantial investment has been made over many years in providing the armed forces with defensive protection against chemical attack. We shall continue to keep our defensive measures under review in the light of that threat.

Mr. Kirkwood

If the offensive arrangements are satisfactory and this country is committed to a verifiable ban on chemical and biological weapons, and we have no stocks in any case, can the Secretary of State explain to the House the point of retaining the right to retaliate under the Geneva protocol?

Mr. Heseltine

If the hon. Gentleman heard the answer that I gave earlier he would know that we constantly keep our defensive capability under review. That must be our responsibility.

Mr. Terlezki

What representations, if any, have the Government made to the Soviet Union about the build-up of chemical weapons, which it is using in Afghanistan and other parts of the middle east?

Mr. Heseltine

My hon. Friend will appreciate that that is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary. However, he will be encouraged by the efforts that my right hon. and learned Friend is making to pursue arms control in this critical area.

Mr. Denzil Davies

Will the Secretary of State now answer the question that I asked earlier about air-land battle? Does it envisage the use of chemical and nuclear weapons in addition to conventional ones?

Mr. Heseltine

The right hon. Gentleman will remember the answer that I gave. That is not NATO policy. It is a matter of discussion in the NATO Alliance and until we reach conclusions it would be inappropriate for me to give firm decisions on behalf of the Government.