§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the destructor unit at the chemical defence establishment Porton Down began operation; and for what purpose.
§ Mr. Ian StewartThe destructor unit at the chemical defence establishment Porton Down commenced operation in 1986. Its main purpose is to undertake the safe destruction of toxic wastes and laboratory solvents arising from the CDE research programme. In addition, old chemical agent, dating back to the two world wars, is discovered from time to time around the country. The United Kingdom abandoned its offensive CW capability in the 1950s and these materials are of no military significance but remain potentially dangerous. They are therefore removed to CDE for safe destruction.