§ Mr. KeyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if Her Majesty's Government have made a declaration to The Hague in accordance with its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention in connection with buried ordnance at East Gomeldon in Wiltshire; and if she will make a statement. [46025]
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 17 June 1998]In May 1997 the United Kingdom submitted to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague an initial declaration of old chemical weapons, predating 1 January 1946, unearthed on its territory. This information is updated as necessary. The Convention does not require the. declaration of chemical weapons buried before 1 January 1977 and which remain buried.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if sections 5 and 6 of the Chemical Weapons Act 1996 apply to the land adjacent to the Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Centre at Winterbourne Gunner where buried ordnance has been identified; and if she will make a statement. [46024]
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 17 June 1998]The Chemical Weapons Act 1996 provides the legislative framework to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention in the United Kingdom. All areas of the United Kingdom are covered by sections 5 and 6 of the Act.