§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost, in the current financial year of (a) research, and (b) equipment for Her Majesty's Forces, in respect of defensive protection against chemical and biological attack in wartime; and what were the comparable figures for 1970–71 and 1973–74.
§ Dr. GilbertIt is not the practice to reveal information of this nature.
§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence on what evidence of a reduction of the threats of biological attack in wartime against the Armed Forces and civilian population of Great Britain, Her Majesty's Government have based their decision substantially to reduce the number of scientists engaged in biological defence at MRE Porton.
§ Dr. GilbertA review of the military requirement for R & D on biological defence was announced in March 1976. The conclusion reached, after a thorough assessment of the threat in the light of ratification of the Biological Weapons Convention, and taking into account competing demands for resources, was that there should be a substantial reduction of effort. Protection of the civilian population is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Depatment. The services of the small team of scientists who are being retained will of course be available to Government generally.