§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence since when service personnel taking part in the service volunteers programme at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment Porton Down have been allowed to take away form the establishment copies of the written consent forms which they have signed. [22513]
§ Dr. ReidThis is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 19 January 1998:
I have been asked to reply to your question concerning the service volunteer programme at DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence Sector (CBD) at Porton Down.Studies at Porton Down have always been conducted to the highest standard of ethical practice prevailing at the time and volunteers would have been required to give their informed consent to take part in a study. This may not, however, have been in the form of written consent as the written consent form used today has only been recently introduced.The consent forms currently signed by service volunteers attending CBD Porton Down are kept with the records at Porton Down. As far as staff at Porton Down are aware, no volunteer has asked for a copy of his consent form in the past. There is, however, no reason why copies of signed consent forms cannot be given to volunteers should they request them.I hope this is helpful.