Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now review his policy regarding the release of information on Britain's chemical and biological defence research programme.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonI have no plans to review the policy regarding the release of information from chemical and biological research records, which is governed by the provisions of the Public Records Acts 1958 and 1967.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what documents the British Government presented to the third review conference of the biological and toxin weapons convention.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe British Government presented two documents to the third review conference of the biological and toxin weapons convention—BTWC: a document on United Kingdom compliance with the provisions of the BTWC and a document on new scientific and technological developments relevant to the convention. I am making arrangements for copies of these two documents to be placed in the Library.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the document entitled, "Transparency Mechanisms for the Canadian Chemical and Biological Defence Program" presented to the third review conference of the biological and toxin weapons convention.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonI will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will establish an independent advisory committee to review Britain's chemical and biological defence research programme.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe Defence Scientific Advisory Council provides independent advice to the Secretary of State for Defence on scientific and techological matters of concern to the Ministry of Defence. The council has established the Chemical and Biological Defence Board which together with its committees reviews Britain's chemical and biological defence research programme.