§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is their information that Russia is not currently destroying its chemical weapons because it has no facilities within which to do so and, if that is the case, what steps is the international community able to take to deal with the former USSR's 40,000 tonnes of toxic substances.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)We understand that Russia has no suitable facilities for the bulk destruction or conversion of chemical weapons but is currently considering setting up mobile destruction plants. The US and German authorities have recently concluded agreements to provide financial and technological assistance, and Russia is examining the possibility of joint projects with other countries. NATO is also considering whether it could be of assistance