HC Deb 27 June 1996 vol 280 c247W
Mr. Livingstone

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons files with the classmarks WO 188/473–4, WO 188/652 and WO 188/656 recorded at the Public Record Office concerning the work of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down are currently retained by his Department; and if he will consider opening them under the open government initiative. [34467]

Mr. Arbuthnot

Arrangements are being made to review the papers listed at the Public Record Office under references WO 188/473–4, WO 188/652 and WO 188/656 to establish whether release into the public domain is now possible. I will write to the hon. Member on completion of the review process.