§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what control is exercised by him over the sale by the Microbiological Research Establishment at Porton Down of bacterial cell pastes, bacteriophages, animal viruses and purified microbial products, especially enzymes and toxic proteins, to any buyer; and if he is satisfied that the sale of these substances is consistent with his duties to safeguard the defence of the realm.
§ Dr. GilbertThe Microbiological Research Establishment, Porton is to a792W large extent engaged on work unconnected with defence. All the items it offers for sale arise from this civil work, and transactions of this sort are in no way inconsistent with national defence. All the activities of MRE, including its civil programmes, are fully subject to the control of the Ministry of Defence.
§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has given approval to the advertisement by the Microbiological Research Establishment at Porton Down for "Bacteria by the Kilogram" which appeared in Nature on 2nd December; and why and for what purposes such dangerous bacteria are being offered for sale to any destination.
§ Dr. GilbertThe sale of bacteria for civil research requirements is not a new departure for the Microbiological Research Establishment, Porton; only the offer for sale by way of public advertisements is new. As such, it was approved in the normal way. It was consistent with the announcement on 19th November that the future of the Establishment depended on civil requirements. The bacteria are not dangerous pathogens, and are sold solely for research purposes. The reference to "any destination" is to make it clear that export inquiries are welcomed.
§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual income derived by the Microbiological Research Establishment at Porton Down from the sale of Escherichia Coli, Haemorphilus influenza and other similar organisms and toxic substances; what qualifications are necessary and what safety measures are insisted on before they are exported; and if he is satisfied that they cannot fall into the hands of terrorist organisations.
§ Dr. GilbertThe income derived by the Microbiological Research Establishment from the sale of microbial products in the year ending 31st December 1976 was £62,000.
Most of the materials offered for sale are harmless strains. Only four bacterial species, two animal virus types and the staphylococcal enterotoxins could be regarded as possibly harmful to man. These are supplied only to bona fide customers at recognised laboratories or research institutes and dispatched in full 793W conformity with the international regulations for transmission of materials of this type by post or air transport.
The arrangements for the sale of microbial products for the advancement of medical scientific research do not pose any new terrorist risks.