HC Deb 27 July 1999 vol 336 cc203-4W
Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for South Swindon (Ms Drown) of 21 July 1999,Official Report, columns 534-35, about the defence response to the threat posed by biological and chemical weapons, what expenditure he plans in this area additional to the level of spending previously earmarked for (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02. [93337]

Mr. George Robertson

In our report, "Defending Against the Threat from Biological and Chemical Weapons", we outlined plans resulting from the Strategic Defence Review and subsequent work to enhance our biological and chemical defence capability. The additional expenditure over the next three years is expected to be some £12 million in 1999–2000, £22 million in 2000–01 and £31 million in 2001–02.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the operating costs in the last financial year of the units involved in biological and chemical defence tasks. [93314]

Mr. George Robertson

In 1998–99, the units dedicated to biological and chemical defence tasks were the Royal Yeomanry and the Defence NBC Centre. The operating cost of those units was some £5 million.