§ Mr. Allenasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the expenditure and projected expenditure on the procurement of nerve gas detection equipment for each of the years 1979 to 1995.
§ Mr. SainsburyExpenditure on procurement of nerve gas detection equipment for the years in question was as follows: 595W
£ million 1979–80 nil 1980–81 1.21 1981–82 0.58 1982–83 3.63 1983–84 5.95 1984–85 4.50 1985–86 4.51 1986–87 9.37 Expenditure in future years is, of course, a matter to be considered in the light of future needs and cannot be usefully speculated upon here.
§ Mr. Allenasked the Secretary of State for Defence who are the main suppliers of nerve gas detection equipment to his Department.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe current main suppliers of nerve gas detection equipment to the Ministry of Defence are Thorn EMI Electronics Ltd. of Nottingham and Graseby Ionics Ltd. of Watford.
§ Mr. Keyasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of members of Her Majesty's forces in experiments at the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down, near Salisbury.
Mr. O'Neillasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have been exposed to nerve gas at Porton Down in each year since 1962; over how long a period these experiments have been conducted; how many of those exposed have subsequently left the service; how their reactions are monitored; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe Chemical Defence Establishment is responsible for research and development aimed at providing effective protection for our service personnel against chemical and biological warfare agents, should these ever be used against them. As part of this essential work, volunteers are invited from the armed services to participate in a range of studies, one element of which involves exposure to very low and medically-safe concentrations of potential chemical warfare agents in order to determine the ability of unprotected personnel to operate normally in such an environment.
Studies of this nature have been conducted ever since the CDE was established during world war 1. A precise figure for the total number of volunteers over the years is not available but since world war 2 approximately 3,500 service personnel have participated in studies involving exposure to safe concentrations of potential chemical warfare agents. A year-by-year breakdown of this figure cannot be given for security reasons—since such data could enable an informed observer to gain a useful insight into the scope and direction of our chemical defence programme. Information is not available on the number of volunteers who have since left the services.
Studies involving such exposures are permitted only after approval by both CDE medically-qualified personnel and a panel of distinguished medical authorities from outside the Ministry of Defence. Before any volunteer study is authorised, a clear need for it must be identified and fully adequate arrangements defined for the safety and welfare of volunteers. Guidelines approved by the Royal College of Physicians are observed throughout.
Volunteers are invited from all branches of the armed forces and no one is put under any pressure whatever to 596W apply or, having applied, to continue. Indeed, it is made clear to those who come to the CDE that they are free to withdraw at any time for whatever reason and without prejudice to themselves. They are also given full information on the nature, object and duration of the tests for which they have volunteered in the presence of a service officer who is not involved in the programme and whose role it is to safeguard the interests of the volunteers.
All volunteers are given a thorough medical examination on arrival at the CDE and before their departure. Each volunteer's participation is recorded in his/her medical file. Service medical records are available, if required, to civilian medical practitioners after Service personnel have returned to civilian life.
Mr. O'Neillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has as to how many members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Alliance allow members of their service personnel to be exposed to nerve gases.
§ Mr. SainsburyNational practice in such areas is a matter for the Governments concerned. It would not be appropriate for Her Majesty's Government to comment.
§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the use of members of Her Majesty's forces in experiments involving exposure to nerve gases and other toxic chemicals; how many individuals have been so exposed in each of the past 10 years; and if they are required to sign any document that would have the effect of waiving their rights to sue for compensation under the terms of the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 in the event of injury or death.
§ Mr. SainsburyI refer my hon. Friend to my reply today to my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury.
The repeal of section 10 of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947, which was brought about by the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 and which came into effect on 15 May 1987, gives service personnel participating in volunteer studies at the CDE and their dependants the right to sue the Ministry of Defence, its servants or agents in common law for any negligent act or omission which has resulted in personal injury, disease or death. This position is made clear to service personnel participating in volunteer studies and they are not required to sign any document which would have the effect of waiving this right.