§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 2001,Official Report, columns 19–20W, on Porton Down, if staff from his Department have held other meetings with the Medical Research Council regarding advice on an independent epidemiological study for Porton Down volunteers since 14 November 2000; and on what dates each of these meetings took place.[154785]
§ Dr. MoonieNo other meetings have taken place.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many studies have been undertaken since 1971 by the chemical defence establishment at Porton Down to establish the annual totals of service
300Wvolunteers who have taken part in experiments at the establishment; and on what dates each of these studies were completed.[154784]
§ Dr. MoonieNo such formal studies have been undertaken. However, since 1995 the annual reports of the Independent Chemical and Biological Defence Ethics Committee have included the numbers of volunteers who have participated in the Service Programme during the report year. These reports are usually produced in the following April-May
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 2001, Official Report, column 19–20W, on Porton Down, what plans his Department has to take on more staff in the Gulf veterans illnesses unit to deal with issues relating to Porton Down volunteers.[154786]
§ Dr. MoonieWe plan to take on a further member of staff, probably a Higher Executive Officer (Grade C2), to deal with Porton Down Volunteers issues.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has requested 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.[154768]
§ Dr. MoonieNo.