§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training and exercises have been carried out to prepare for the deployment of the armed forces in the event of an outbreak of smallpox; and if he will make a statement. [85890]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 9 December 2002]: The armed forces are not responsible for dealing with an outbreak of smallpox. The Department of Health would take the lead and could, if appropriate, call upon the limited skills of the armed forces. These skills are subject to constant refinement through training and exercises.
Details of the response to a smallpox outbreak are available on the DoH website at www.doh.gov.uk/epcu/cbr/biol/smallpoxplan.htm.