§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what clarification has been received from the Soviet Union about its statement that its chemical warfare stockpile does not exceed 50,000 tons.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Soviet Government first stated in December 1987 that their chemical weapon stocks did not exceed 50,000 tons "in terms of toxic agent". This is substantially lower than western estimates. We have pressed the Soviet authorities for further information, particularly during the recent exchange of visits between the United Kingdom chemical defence establishment, Porton Down and the Soviet military chemical facility at Shikhany. No further clarification has been forthcoming.