§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will order a public inquiry into the programme of human experiments at the Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down.[157299]
§ Dr. MoonieNo. A public inquiry could not answer the central question of whether volunteers had suffered unusual mortality or illness. Only an epidemiological study can do that. Advice from the Medical Research Council has been sought for the feasibility of such a study. Furthermore, Wiltshire Police are conducting an investigation into aspects of this programme. We already make available to the volunteers any information we possess which is relevant to their individual cases. We also plan to conduct further work as outlined in my answers to the hon. Member on 25 January 2001,Official Report, column 655W, 5 March 2001, Official Report, column 20W and on 26 March 2001, Official Report, column 525W.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has received a report from the Operation Antler team of the Wiltshire Police regarding its inquiries into allegations that the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment had experimented on NHS patients during the 1960s; and if he will make a statement.[157306]
§ Dr. MoonieAllegations dating from 1970 that the Chemical Defence Establishment conducted experiments during the 1960s on old and sick NHS patients who were subsequently put to death were thoroughly investigated at the time. The then Minister for Defence Equipment and the Prime Minister both refuted these allegations on 30 January and on 19 February 1970 respectively. Following inquiries by the Wiltshire police in January 2001, the Operation Antler inquiry advised364W my Department's officials that these allegations were in one case fabricated, and in another case did not involve Ministry of Defence staff.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many former service volunteers have visited the Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down to inspect records of their experiments and discuss their tests with member of staff since 1 January 1998.[157300]
§ Dr. MoonieAll former service volunteers who inquire about their participation in studies at the Chemical Defence Establishment are invited to visit Porton Down to view the original record books and discuss their experiences with current members of Porton Down staff.
In the period 1 January 1998 to 6 April 2001, 25 former service volunteers have visited to inspect the records of the studies they were involved in.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times since 1 March 1998 the Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down has supplied information about former volunteers to the War Pensions Agency in response to a claim by such.[157329]
§ Dr. MoonieSince 1 March 1998, the staff at the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector at Porton Down have supplied information in response to 29 requests from the War Pensions Agency.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer on 22 March 2001,Official Report, column 300W, regarding Porton Down, if he will request the Medical Research Council to consult the Operation Antler team of Wiltshire police regarding its advice on an independent epidemiological study for service personnel who took part in experiments at the Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down.[157342]
§ Dr. MoonieNo. The Medical Research Council are aware of the Wiltshire police investigation and should they wish to consult the Operation Antler team, they will do so.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many individuals have contacted the Porton Down Volunteers Helpline since February 1998.[157345]
§ Dr. MoonieSince February 1998, the Porton Down helpline has received 626 inquiries in the form of telephone calls and letters.