§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current security classification of the newsletter produced for the staff of the chemical defence establishment at Porton Down; how often this newsletter is produced; and when this newsletter was first produced. [12182]
§ Mr. SpellarThis is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I asked the chief executive to write to my hon. Friend and understand he did so on 20 August 1997.
Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 20 August 1997:
I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the staff newsletter at Porton Down as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency.Internal newsletters at Porton Down have been produced in many different forms over the years. They are not usually classified but are not generally circulated outside the MOD.CBD News was first produced in its current format in February 1995. It is usually published monthly, although there has recently been a three month gap between editions. It is not classified but is only distributed to staff at Porton Down and a small number of staff elsewhere in DERA and MOD.I hope this is helpful.