§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will list the reports of the use of chemical weapons outside Europe, other than in the Gulf conflict; and specify the evidence that lethal chemical agents have been used in Asia; and 782WA whether they will state their opinion of that evidence.
§ Baroness YoungA list of reports of the use of chemical weapons outside Europe since 1974 is to be found in theYearbook on World Armaments and Disarmament, for the years 1982 to 1985, published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Copies of the yearbooks in question are in the Library. A comprehensive summary of the evidence of the use of lethal chemical agents in South East Asia and Afghanistan is in the United States Department of State Special Report No. 98 dated 2nd March 1982. A copy of this is also in the Library. On the basis of epidemiological evidence we believe that chemical warfare attacks probably have taken place in South East Asia. We are, however, unable to identify the agent or agents used. We also believe that some form of incapacitating agent has been used by Soviet forces in Afghanistan.