§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the defence budget is dedicated to research in chemical warfare in the current financial year. [61738]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Ministry of Defence funds research into defence against both chemical and biological warfare agents at the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency at Porton Down. The information sought is not readily available in the format requested, but in the current financial year, the total expenditure on chemical and biological defence research is estimated at £33.6m. This research is focused solely towards providing UK armed forces with safe and effective protection against the effects of chemical and biological warfare agents.