§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 8 March 2000,Official Report, columns 708-09W, what was the (a) purpose, (b) nature and (c) outcome of the experiment involving 13 military volunteers at HMS Phoenix. [117078]
§ Dr. MoonieThis is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 3 May 2000:
I am replying to your parliamentary question about the study undertaken by the Chemical and Biological Defence (CBD) sector of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) at HMS Phoenix.The purpose of this study was to determine whether existing or proposed control methods were effective in preventing nuclear contamination of a designated toxic free area (TFA). Subjects wearing full individual protective equipment were exposed to harmless particles to simulate nuclear fallout. They were then processed through the entry system under evaluation into the TFA, replicating the undressing and decontamination procedures appropriate to that system. The effectiveness of the entry system was tested using air sampling techniques in the TFA. None of the volunteers who took part in the trial experienced adverse effects. The results will be used to revise entry and exit procedures to reduce the potential for the transfer of nuclear contaminated material.I hope the above is helpful.