HC Deb 05 March 1985 vol 74 cc434-5W
Mr. Best

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has that Soviet troops have used chemical weapons in Afghanistan; and if he will identify the types and times used and effects if known.

Mr. Rifkind

As was stated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces on 27 January 1984, and by my noble Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in another place on 22 November 1984, we believe that some form of non-lethal incapacitating agent has been used by Soviet forces in Afghanistan. Research and analysis continue of the evidence for the use of lethal chemical agents in that country.

Mr. Best

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has that Vietnamese troops have used chemical weapons in Cambodia; and if he will identify the types and times used and effects if known.

Mr. Rifkind

As a party to the 1925 Geneva Protocol banning the use of chemical weapons, we view with seriousness any allegations of the use of chemical weapons in Cambodia, as elsewhere. We have been disturbed at recent reports that Vietnamese rockets containing chemical agents have landed in Thai territory. We are studying these reports.