§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in the light of the fact that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has a biological warfare capability greater than that ever possessed by Nazi Germany, he will reconsider the decision of the previous Administration to close Porton as a military research centre; and, if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PymThe former microbiological research establishment at Porton was closed as a defence centre in April this740W year following an assessment of requirements in the light of the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention. Research on defence and protection against biological attack is continuing to be undertaken by a small team at the chemical defence establishment at Porton.