HC Deb 26 March 1980 vol 981 cc610-1W
Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the evidence of his increasing concern that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is using lethal gas in Afghanistan.

Mr. Hurd

There have been a number of press reports in recent weeks that the Soviet Union has been using chemical weapons in its campaign in Afghanistan. It is difficult to obtain reliable information about Soviet military operations there. So far there is no definite evidence to support allegations about chemical weapons. If these were true we would be deeply concerned.