HC Deb 17 June 1988 vol 135 c340W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the membership of the independent advisory group that endorsed the conclusion that Gruinard island was safe for disposal; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

The Independent Advisory Group (IAG) on Gruinard Island was appointed in 1985 under the chairmanship of Professor W. D. P. Stewart, BSc, PhD, DSc, FIBiol, FRSE, FRS, head of microbiological sciences at Dundee university. Its other members were:

  • J. P. Duguid, CBE, BSc, MD, FRCPath.,
  • Emeritus Professor of Bacteriology,
  • University of Dundee.
  • A. J. Stevens, MA, BVSc, MRCVS, Dip.Bact.,
  • Formerly Director, Central Veterinary Laboratories,
  • M.A.F.F, Weybridge, Surrey.
  • J. A. Strong, CBE, MD, FRCP, FRCPE, FRSE,
  • Emeritus Professor of Medicine, University of Edinburgh.
  • Past President, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
  • T. S. West, CBE, BSc, PhD., DSc, CChem., FRSC, FRSE,
  • Formerly Director, Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, Aberdeen.
  • Honorary Professor of Chemistry and Soil Sciences,
  • University of Aberdeen.
  • J. G. White, MSc, PhD, CBiol., MIBiol.,
  • Adviser to the Director on Soil Partial Sterilants,
  • AFRC Institute of Horticultural Research,
  • Wellesbourne, Warwick.
  • J. A. N. Emslie, MB, ChB, MD, Dip.Bact.,
  • Consultant Epidemiologist,
  • Ruchill Hospital, Glasgow.
  • (Observer on behalf of the Scottish Home and Health Department).
  • A. J. Alexander, BSc,
  • Department of Biological Sciences,
  • University of Dundee.
  • Secretary.

The IAG reviewed and endorsed the plans prepared by my Department's chemical defence establishment (CDE) for decontaminating Gruinard island; provided consultancy advice to the CDE in the selection of a contractor Ito carry out the decontamination work; and monitored the subsequent tests carried out by both the CDE and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food central veterinary laboratory to establish the success of the treatment. The IAG's report, which was completed earlier this year and a copy of which will be placed in due course in the Library of the House, concluded that the chances of persons or animals contracting anthrax on Gruinard island are so remote that the island can be returned to civil use".

As provided in the terms of transfer to the Ministry of Defence, we are proposing to return Gruinard island to its previous owners.