§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if supplies of vaccine 10HO3A supplied to the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment were used in circumstances relating to the Gulf war. [1674]
§ Mr. SoamesThis is a matter for the chief executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. D. N. Campbell-Savours, dated 12 November 1996:
I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about whether the Vaccine 10HO3A supplied to the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment were used in circumstances relating to the Gulf War. I have been asked to reply since The Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBD) is now part of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency of which I am Chief Executive.I regret that it is not our policy to provide details of the particular vaccines required for the research programme at CBD Porton Down.I am sorry I could not be more helpful.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what date vaccine 10HO3A was received by United Kingdom military personnel in the Gulf; [1675]
(2) if named patient requirements as required by the manufacturer were used in the case of vaccine 10HO3A while used in circumstances relating to the Gulf war; [1673]
(3) on what date Her Majesty's Government purchased from the Miles Drug Company, Miles Pharmaceuticals or Bayer UK vaccine 10HO3A; and which was used in the Gulf war; [1672]
(4) how many British Aerospace personnel (a) did and (b) did not receive doses of vaccine 10HO3A during the course of the Gulf war; [1671]
(5) if he will make a statement on the use of vaccine 10HO3A during the course of the Gulf war. [1670]
§ Mr. SoamesAt present, details relating to biological warfare medical counter-measures remain classified for operational reasons.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what time on 20 and 21 January 1991 United Kingdom personnel were brought into contact with chemical or biological agents near Dhahran. [1677]
§ Mr. SoamesNo chemical or biological agents were detected at Dhahran on 20 and 21 January 1991.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what time on 20 and 21 January 1992 chemical agent monitors indicated sarin in the air in the vicinity of United Kingdom personnel at Dhahran. [1676]
§ Mr. SoamesThere is no evidence of sarin being detected at Dhahran on 20 and 21 January 1991.