§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the operation of the Chemical Weapons Act 1996. [9863]
§ Mr. LangThe Chemical Weapons Act 1996 entered into force on 16 September 1996.
In consultation with industry and other interested parties, my Department has continued with preparations to implement the chemical weapons convention in the United Kingdom from when it comes into effect on 29 April 1997. The Chemical Weapons (Notification) Regulations 1996 and the Chemical Weapons (Licence Appeal Provisions) Order 1996 have been made; the production, possession and use of the most toxic chemicals is now subject to licence, with a more refined licensing system to be introduced from 1 January 1997; the first stage of the process of collecting information to enable the compilation of the United Kingdom's initial declaration to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has started; and consultation on the composition of the advisory committee is also well advanced. I hope to be able to make an announcement about the appointment of the committee's chairman soon.