HL Deb 06 December 1994 vol 559 cc74-5WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether studies and tests of chemical and biological defence equipment conducted at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down, are defined as medical research, and if they are, whether the studies and tests are conducted according to Recommendation No. R(90)3 of the Committee of Ministers of Member States concerning medical research on human beings.

Lord Henley

Responsibility for the subject of this question is a matter for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment. The chief executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment has therefore responded to the question and his letter is given below.

Letter to the Countess of Mar from the chief executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Mr. Graham Pearson, dated 6th December 1994: 1. Your Parliamentary Question to Her Majesty's Government of 22 November 1994 asking whether studies and tests of chemical and biological defence equipment conducted at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down, are defined as medical research, and if they are, whether the studies and tests are conducted according to Recommendation No. R(90)3 of the Committee of Ministers of Member States concerning Medical Research on Human Beings has been passed to me to reply as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment. 2. The role of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment is to ensure that the UK armed forces have effective protective measures against the threat that chemical or biological weapons may be used against them. In order to carry out this work, it is necessary to use Service volunteers to:

  1. a. assess the ability of Service personnel to function with new equipment and procedures,
  2. b. develop medical countermeasures to protect service personnel and
  3. c. evaluate the effects of very low and medically safe concentrations of CW agents on the ability of unprotected personnel to operate normally.
Studies and tests of chemical and biological defence equipment which do not involve volunteers are carried out as part of our research programme and are not defined as medical research. 3. Studies and tests of chemical and biological defence equipment at CBDE which involve service volunteers are only carried out where there is a clear military need and a detailed protocol has been reviewed and approved by an independent ethics committee in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Royal College of Physicians. These guidelines define medical research as "the primary intention is to advance knowledge so that patients in general may benefit; the individual patient may or may not benefit directly." In a defence context the beneficiaries are the members of the armed forces. Consequently, studies and tests of chemical and biological defence equipment involving volunteers conducted at CBDE are regarded as being covered by the definition of medical research in the guidelines laid down by the Royal College of Physicians. 4.The principles contained in the Council of Europe Recommendation on Medical Research on Human Beings R(90)3 are encompassed within the Royal College of Physicians guidelines.