§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what nuclear, biological and chemical capability the Army, Navy and RAF possess; and whether the personnel are drawn from regular or reserve forces. [85374]
§ Mr. IngramThe regular United Kingdom armed Forces maintain a balanced nuclear, biological and chemical force protection capability founded upon five components: detection and identification; warning and reporting; physical protection; hazard management; medical countermeasures and support. These rest on a range of specialised and other equipment, procedures and countermeasures, including those operated by the Joint NEC Regiment, are described in more detail in the Department's July 1999 public paper "Defending Against the Threat from Biological and Chemical Weapons". They also apply to nuclear and radiological defence.
In addition the Royal Yeomanry, a Territorial Army unit, supports the Joint NBC Regiment.