§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stocks of nerve agents his Department possesses; and if he will make a statement. [16080]
§ Mr. SoamesThis matter is for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, CBDE to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Graham Pearson to Dr. David Clark, dated 24 March 1995:
1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking what stocks of nerve agents his Department possesses and if he will make a statement, 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 ensure that the UK Armed Forces have effective protective measures against the threat that chemical and biological weapons may be used against them. In order to carry out this work, it is necessary to have available small quantities of materials which may be used as chemical or biological warfare agents by a potential aggressor.3. Consequently, small quantities of nerve agent are held at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment in order to enable us to carry out our work to ensure that the protective measures for the UK Armed Forces are effective. It would not be in the national interest to disclose the precise quantities held; however, the UK holdings of nerve agents are within the aggregate amount of Schedule 1 chemical that will be permitted to be held for protective purposes under the terms of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if his Department is in possession of the nerve agent sarin; and if he will make a statement; [16079]
(2) if his Department has undertaken research into the effects of the nerve agent sarin. [16081]
397W
§ Mr. SoamesThese matters are for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, CBDE to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Graham Pearson to Dr. David Clark, dated 24 March 1995:
1. Your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence asking if his Department has undertaken research into the effects of the nerve agent Sarin, if his Department is in possession of the nerve agent Sarin; and if he will make a statement, has been passed to me to answer has Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.2. The role of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment is to ensure that the UK Armed Forces have effective protective measures against the threat that chemical and biological weapons may be used against them. As part of this work, the potential hazard of possible chemical and biological warfare agents is assessed and the effectiveness of British protective measures evaluated.3. Research on the nerve agent Sarin (GB) at CBDE Porton Down, has addressed all aspects concerned with the provision of effective protective measures against the threat that Sarin might be used by an aggressor against the UK Armed Forces. This has included hazard assessment, detection and identification, physical protection, contamination monitoring and management and the use of prophylactic and therapeutic medical countermeasures.4. In order to carry out this work, it is necessary to have available small quantities of materials such as Sarin which may be used as chemical or biological warfare agents by a potential aggressor. However, the quantities held are within the aggregate amounts of Schedule 1 chemicals permitted to be held for protective purposes under the Chemical Weapons Convention.