HC Deb 24 February 1995 vol 255 cc377-8W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates the 1980 memorandum of understanding on chemical and biological defence between the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Canada has been amended; why these amendments were made; and when the existence of this memorandum was first notified to Parliament.

Mr. Freeman

This is a matter for the chief executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment. I have therefore asked him to reply.

Letter from Graham Pearson to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 24 February 1995: 1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking on what dates the 1980 Memorandum of Understanding on Chemical and Biological Defence between the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Canada has been amended; why these amendments were made; and when the existence of this memorandum was first notified to Parliament has been passed to me to answer as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment. 2. The Memorandum of Understanding on Chemical and Biological Defence between the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Canada has been amended on eight occasions:

  1. (a) October 1984 to extend the MOU.
  2. (b)March 1985 to clarify an aspect of the MOU.
  3. (c)November 1988 to add an Annex to the MOU.
  4. (d)October 1989 to replace this Annex to the MOU.
  5. (e)October 1989 to extend the MOU.
  6. (f)October 1991 to add an Annex to the MOU.
  7. (g)June 1994 to add an Annex to the MOU.
  8. (h)November 1994 to extend the MOU.
The additional Annexes provide details about areas of collaboration between the three countries concerned. 3. Our records do not indicate when the existence of the Memorandum of Understanding was notified to Parliament. However, it has been referred to in the answer to many Parliamentary Questions during the past five years.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many memoranda of understanding covering the research, development, production or procurement of chemical and biological defence equipment have existed between the United Kingdom and the United States of America since 1965.

Mr. Freeman

This is a matter for the chief executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment. I have therefore asked him to reply.

Letter from Graham Pearson to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 24 February 1995: 1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking how many Memoranda of Understanding covering the research, development, production or procurement of chemical and biological defence equipment have existed between the United Kingdom and the United States of America since 1965 has been passed to me to answer as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment. 2. The role of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment is to carry out work to ensure that the UK Armed Forces are provided with effective protective measures against the threat that chemical and biological weapons may be used against them. 3. A single Memorandum of Understanding exists which was signed in 1980. This Memorandum of Understanding has been very effective in promoting cooperation and collaboration between the three countries enabling resources to be shared and more robust conclusions to be drawn arising from peer review by the three countries.