HC Deb 19 June 1968 vol 766 cc146-7W
Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what work is being done at the Microbiological Research Establishment, Porton, on problems of contagious abortion in cattle;

(2) what work is being done at the Microbiological Research Establishment, Porton, on problems of undulant fever.

Mr. John Morris

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 15th May. Contagious abortion of cattle is a type of brucellosis and undulant fever is the human form of this disease.—[Vol. 764, c.250.]

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence for what purpose an Army van and two photographers took pictures of demonstrators outside Porton on Whitsunday, 1968.

Mr. John Morris

Photographs were taken in view of the possibility that damage might be caused to Government property. However, I have now given instructions for the photographs to be destroyed.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what acreage of farmland is used by his Department within the 22-mile perimeter of the Microbiological Research Establishment and Chemical Defence Experimental Establishment at Porton.

Mr. John Morris

About 1,300 acres are used for conventional farming.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will arrange for the Microbiological Research Establishment and Chemical Defence Experimental Establishment at Porton to issue regular reports describing the general character of their classified work.

Mr. John Morris

No.