HL Deb 20 February 1995 vol 561 cc55-6WA
Baroness Cox

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What measures they are taking through the European Union in response to the escalation of military offensives by the SLORC (State Law and Order Restoration Council) regime against the Karen people in Burma.

Lord Inglewood

I refer the noble Baroness to the reply I gave to the noble Lord, Lord Avebury, on 16 February at col.WA53.

Baroness Cox

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What measures can be taken to monitor the conflict in Burma to ensure that the use of germ warfare would be detected should the SLORC (State Law and Order Restoration Council) regime use bacteriological devices in their offensives against the Karen, as is already alleged.

Lord Inglewood

We are aware of allegations that biological weapons have been used against the Karen people. Material and samples from Burma have recently been analysed by the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment Porton Down (and other countries), but no trace of biological weapons agents were found. We will continue to monitor closely the developments in Burma, including testing samples when these are available.