§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 March,Official Report, column 717, when the long-standing collaboration between the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment and the Institute of Aviation Medicine began. [31963]
§ Mr. FreemanThis is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have therefore asked him to reply.
Letter from J. Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 5 July 1995:
Your question to the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 16th March, asking when the long-standing collaboration between the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE) and the Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM) began, has been passed to me to reply as the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), which now includes both these establishments.2. There was significant collaboration on the development of protective equipment for air crew from the early 1950's. It is possible that earlier collaboration between the precursor establishments of both CBDE and IAM on protection against the threat posed by chemical weapons occurred but we have been unable in the time available to trace record of this.3. I hope this information is helpful.
§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 March,Official Report, columns 713–14, what were the conclusions of each of the 21 safety audits carried out by his Department's Safety Services Organisation; and if he will place the reports of each of these audits in the Library. [31956]
§ Mr. FreemanThis is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have therefore asked him to reply.
Letter from J. Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 5 July 1995:
Your letter to the Secretary of State for Defence asking, pursuant to his answer of the 16 March, about the conclusions of the safety audits and for the reports to be placed in Library of the House of Commons, has been passed to me to reply as the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) which, since April, includes the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE) as one of its divisions.2. Safety audits carried out since 1987 found that CBDE is a highly safety oriented organisation with a workforce and management committed to ensuring a safe and health work environment.3. In the most recent general safety audit the documentation and procedures were considered to be very good, particularly in the so-called high risk areas. Only minor deficiencies were identified and these were concerned with more general safety measures such as routine inspection of electrical equipment and the care and storage of personal protective equipment.4. Safety audit reports contain some classified information, particularly in relation to the nature of the work being carried out at CBDE. It is not, therefore, considered to be appropriate to release copies.5. I hope this is helpful.
§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which pieces of new equipment have been tested by the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment since 1980 in studies involving service 275W volunteers to assess the ability of service personnel to function with the equipment. [31970]
§ Mr. FreemanThis is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have therefore asked him to reply.
Letter from J. Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 5 July 1995:
Your question asking the Secretary of State for Defence which pieces of new equipment have been tested by the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE) since 1980 in studies involving Service volunteers has been passed to me to reply as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) which, since April, includes the CBDE as one of its divisions.2. Items of new equipment under development which are tested in studies involving Service volunteers are subject to both defence security and commercial sensitivities. I am therefore limited in what I can say on this matter. However, I can tell you that the new individual protective equipment comprising of the No. 1 Mark IV NBC suit and the S10 respirator has been trialled in studies involving Service volunteers since 1980.3. I hope this information is helpful.
§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence who has served as director or head of the Chemical and Biological Warfare establishment at Porton Down since 1965; and in which years each individual served as director or head. [31974]
§ Mr. FreemanThis is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have therefore asked him to reply.
Letter from J. Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 5 July 1995:
Your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the directors of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment's (CBDE) since 1965 has been passed to me to reply as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) which, since April, has included CBDE as one of its divisions.2. CBDE's role is to carry out research to ensure that the United Kingdom Armed Forces are provided with effective and safe protective measures against the threat posed by chemical and biological warfare agents. From the late 1950s the work has been on purely defensive measures. The Establishment has had eight directors since 1965:
- Mr. E. E. Haddon: 1961–1968
- Mr. G. N. Gadsby: 1968–1972
- Mr. T. F. Watkins: 1972–1974
- Dr. R. G. H. Watson: 1974–1983
- Dr. A. Bebbington: 1983–1984
- Dr. G. S. Pearson: 1984–1995
- Dr. G. D. Coley: 1995–3.
3. I hope this information is helpful.
§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the annual report and accounts for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment for 1994–95 is due to be published. [31973]
§ Mr. FreemanWe expect the National Audit Office to complete its audit of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment's 1994–95 accounts shortly. Subject to this, it is intended to lay a copy of the annual report and accounts before the House before the summer recess. Copies will be placed in the Library as soon as they are available.