HL Deb 19 November 1998 vol 594 cc196-7WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Observer newspaper of 1 November is correct in reporting that the destruction of the munitions dumps at Khamisiyah occurred after British troops in the area had removed and packed both their chemical alarms and their NBC suits. [HL3835]

Lord Gilbert

In response to two earlier questions on this subject from the noble Countess, I undertook on 30 October last year to review the availability of chemical agent detection and protection equipment at 32 Field Hospital at the time of the Khamisiyah demolitions. A report on that review, together with other relevant material relating to the Khamisiyah demolitions, is currently being written up and I hope to be able to respond on the issue shortly. The answer to this new question will be covered in that report.