HL Deb 21 March 1996 vol 570 cc107-8WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether detection equipment in service at the time of Operation Granby was capable of identifying the presence of Soviet V gas (Substance 33).

Earl Howe

Yes.

The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is possible that Iraq had stocks of Soviet V-gas, also known as Substance 33, at the time of Operation Granby.

Earl Howe

The United Nations Special Commission has not so far reported that Iraq has, or ever has had, stocks of the Soviet V-gas, Substance 33.

The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is possible that members of HM armed forces serving in Operation Granby may have been affected by solid particles of chemical warfare agents absorbed by toxic combustion products resulting from incomplete combustion of the agents either before or during the operation.

Earl Howe

There is no evidence that chemical or biological weapons were used during Operation Granby.

The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether protective clothing including gas mask filters used by members of HM Armed Forces during Operation Granby was collected and sampled for the presence of chemical warfare agents including Soviet V-gas (Substance 33): and, if so, with what results.

Earl Howe

No such tests were conducted, since there is no evidence that chemical or biological weapons were used during Operation Granby.

The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the known chronic health effects of low levels of exposure to modern chemical warfare agents.

Earl Howe

There are no known chronic health effects arising from exposure to low levels of chemical warfare nerve agents.