§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when was the last time the Ministry of Defence held discussions at a ministerial level with the United States of America concerning the production of chemical weapons; where these meetings were held; and who attended the meetings.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the dates, and locations of all the meetings between his Department and the United States Government since 1979 to discuss the renewed production of chemical weapons by(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the United States of America.
§ Mr. HanleyThe United Kingdom abandoned its offensive chemical capability in the 1950s. Our policy emphasises the need for an effective defence against the use of chemical weapons and the implementation of international agreements on their control, destruction and eventual abolition. We have had a long-standing and continuing dialogue with the United States on a broad range of issues in the chemical warfare field, including in the 1980s United States plans to update their offensive 309W chemical capability, which were subsequently cancelled by President Bush in May 1991. Details of all meetings where United States plans were discussed could be provided only at disproportionate cost.