§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many animals have been involved in tests undertaken by or on behalf of his Department for each of the last five years in which genetically engineered micro-organisms were involved; what was the nature and purpose of these tests; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what funds were deployed by his Department on work in connection with genetically engineered micro-organisms in (a) 1984, (b) 1985, (c) 1986, (d) 1987, (e) 1988 and (f) 1989; how many personnel were involved in such work; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will make a statement on the purpose of work carried out by his Department in connection with genetically engineered micro-organisms.
§ Mr. NeubertAs we have repeatedly made clear, the United Kingdom has no chemical or biological weapons and no plans to acquire any. All research undertaken by or commissioned by the MOD in the chemical and biological field is defensive in nature and is to provide information which assists in the provision of effective protective measures against the threat that chemical and biological weapons might be used against the United Kingdom armed forces.
It is not our policy to go into details of specific research areas. Such information could enable an informed observer to gain a useful insight into the scope and direction of MOD work, to the detriment of national security.