HC Deb 07 February 1989 vol 146 cc658-9W
27. Mr. Hind

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the readiness of British forces to repel attack by chemical weapons.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The United Kingdom abandoned its offensive chemical warfare capability in the late 1950s but maintains an appropriate mix of adequate and effective nuclear and conventional forces to deter or repel any form of attack. We also carry out extensive research at the chemical defence establishment, Porton Down, into defensive measures to protect our armed forces against an attack using chemical weapons. This includes the detection of chemical agents, the protection of personnel, and medical counter-measures. Our armed forces are trained and equipped accordingly.

96. Mr. Neil Hamilton

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Government intend responding to the Soviet announcement of a unilateral cut in chemical weapons.

120. Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Her Majesty's Government intends responding to the Soviet announcement of a unilateral cut in chemical weapons.

134. Mr. Norris

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Government intend responding to the Soviet announcement of a unilateral cut in chemical weapons.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

We welcome the announcement by Mr. Shevardnadze that the Soviet Union intends to begin destroying some of its chemical weapons stocks, but no details have been given of the rate of destruction or the quantity and type of weapons to be destroyed. There is a long way to go before Soviet stocks, which are the largest in the world, are brought down to the level of the West's. The United Kingdom abandoned its offensive chemical warfare capability in the late 1950s and the United States observed a unilateral moratorium on the production of chemical weapons from 1969 to 1987, although the Soviet Union continued production. The United States has already begun a destruction programme of their unitary chemical weapon stocks.

29. Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent bilateral discussions he has had with his United States counterpart about chemical weapons production.

32. Mr. Boyes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent bilateral discussions he has had with his United States counterpart about chemical weapons production.

66. Mr. Terry Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent bilateral discussions he has had with his United States counterpart about chemical weapons production.

129. Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent bilateral discussions he has had with his United States counterpart about chemical weapons production.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

My right hon. Friend has regular discussions with his United States counterpart on a wide range of defence issues.

130. Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether stocks of United States forces nerve gas or other chemical or biological weapons are advanced-based in Britain or in any other NATO country.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

There are no such stocks in Britain. However, United States forces in Germany hold stocks of chemical weapons.