HC Deb 04 March 1994 vol 238 cc67-8W
Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 27 January,Official Report,, columns 396–97, to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen), if he will place in the Library a copy of all papers relating to Operations Cauldron and Hesperus in 1952 and 1953, including a description of the pathogens used and the results of the experiments, plus the means of storage on land and at sea; and if he will commission an independent inquiry into the hazards to the Scottish public from these and similar experiments.

Mr. Hanley

This is a matter for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down. I have asked the chief executive of CBDE to write to the hon. Member.

Squadrons Detached Flights Volunteer Gliding Schools Air Experience Flights
England 733 68 21 11
Scotland 97 13 3 1
Wales 76 2 3 0

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy concerning the Air Training Corps.

Mr. Hanley

The Air Training Corps serves not only to foster a practical interest in the RAF and aviation, but to develop qualities such as leadership and self-disclipline. The Air Cadet Organisation is also an effective means of introducing the public to the RAF, particularly in areas where the adult service is not represented.

The defence costs study—"Front Line First"—announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 1 December last year, is examining all aspects of support. The Air Training Corps is being studied as part of this process. It is as yet too early to speculate on the outcome of this work.

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will allocate the Air Training Corps extra moneys to enable it to develop its youth work; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

There are no plans to provide extra moneys to the Air Training Corps for the purpose of developing its youth work.

Letter from Graham Pearson to Mr. Calum Macdonald, dated 21 February 1994:

Parliamentary Question 35, Order Paper 14 February 1994

1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking about Operations CAULDRON and HESPERUS in 1952 and 1953 has been passed to me to reply as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

2. The papers relating to Operations CAULDRON and HESPERUS are classified and it would not be in the national interest to make these available as the information therein could be misused by states seeking to acquire a biological weapons capability. The pathogens used were as follows:

  1. (a) Operation CAULDRON: the pathogens that cause brucellosis and plague.
  2. (b) Operation HESPERUS: the pathogens that cause brucellosis and tularaemia.
The results of these trials are as indicated in the Official Report, 27 January, column 396–97.

3. The safety aspects of handling, transport and packaging were all carefully addressed to ensure that there was no danger to any of those engaged in the trial whether on land or at sea. As indicated in the Official Report, 9 February, column 360, there is no cause to believe that there was any hazard to the public or the environment and there is no evidence to the contrary. Consequently, there is no reason to commission an independent inquiry into these trials.