HC Deb 24 October 1988 vol 139 cc62-3W
Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research on drugs affecting perception and reaction time of service personnel is being or has been carried out at Porton Down during the past five years.

Mr. Sainsbury

Tests of perception and reaction time are included in studies by the chemical defence establishment at Porton Down of medicinal drugs used to increase servicemens' resistance to chemical agents. These tests are standard and widely used and are basic to investigating the ability of service personnel to function efficiently whilst using protective systems.