HC Deb 19 June 1968 vol 766 c145W
Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British soldiers volunteered last year to be subjects for experiment in the use of the gas B2.

Mr. John Morris

I presume my hon. Friend is referring to the incapacitating agent BZ. In practice Servicemen volunteer, not for specific tests, but for any tests which it may be necessary to carry out in the future. When the need arises, Servicemen are told beforehand of the nature of the tests and are then at liberty to withdraw if they wish. Four volunteers took part in BZ tests in 1967. The tests were carefully controlled, and there was no danger to the men concerned.