§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what his Department's policy is on the establishment of national oversight mechanisms for(a) security and (b) genetic engineering of pathogenic organisms; [13947]
(2) what plans he has with regard to the development of a code of ethical conduct for bioscientists; [13946]
(3) what United Nations procedures exist for investigating (a) suspicious outbreaks and (b) allegations of biological weapons use; [13949]
746W(4) what plans he has for the promotion of responsible conduct in the (a) study, (b) use, (c) modification and (d) shipment of pathogenic organisms; [13953]
(5) what proposals his Department has (a) to improve international disease control and (b) to enhance mechanisms for sending expert response teams to cope with outbreaks. [13948]
§ Mr. BradshawThese are among a number of new ideas intended to complement the implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). We have been discussing these and other options with other States Parties since the end of the negotiations on a BWC Protocol in August. All are at an early stage of development. We expect them to be further discussed at the 5th Review Conference of the BWC in Geneva (19 November to 7 December). We welcome proposals that have been made for practical and effective measures to meet the biological weapons threat. We hope that these can be agreed at the Conference.
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with its United States counterparts with regard to the United States' recent proposals to strengthen the biological and toxic weapons convention. [13945]
§ Mr. BradshawWe are in frequent contact with the United States, and other States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention, on our respective ideas for strengthening the Convention. The Foreign Secretary discussed the subject with the US Secretary of State during his visit to Washington in October.
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on his Department's policy at the forthcoming biological and toxic weapons convention Review Conference; [13951]
(2) what steps he will take to ensure that international progress towards the strengthening of the biological and toxic weapons convention is sustained following the BTWC Review Conference. [13950]
§ Mr. BradshawI refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham Deptford (Joan Ruddock) on 13 November 2001,Official Report, column 668W.