HC Deb 14 December 2000 vol 359 c257W
Mr. David Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what specific criminal allegations are being pursued by Wiltshire police in the investigation of the Porton Down volunteers scheme; and if he will make a statement. [142377]

Mr. Charles Clarke

There are currently 10 cases under investigation by the Wiltshire police. These consist of nine individuals who took part in separate experiments and a company of 20 servicemen who took part in an experiment as a group. The offences being investigated in respect of these cases are the administering of a noxious substance and assault offences.

In addition, the Wiltshire police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an individual during an experiment in May 1953 and the subsequent evidence given to the Coroner's Inquest regarding that death.