§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which organisation will be responsible for the(a) assessment of and (b) response to the health dimension of the threats of biological warfare. [86030]
§ Mr. HuttonAssessment of the threats of biological warfare is undertaken in the context of the overall monitoring and assessment of potential terrorist threats to the United Kingdom done by the security and intelligence agencies, the police, scientific and other specialist advisors including the scientific resources of DSTL Porton Down. The Home Office is the lead Department for terrorist threats or incidents.
The Department of Health is the lead Department for dealing with infectious diseases in England. It is assisted in this role by the Public Health Laboratory Service. 800W Assessment of the health dimensions and the operational responses needed to deal with the threat of biological warfare is undertaken by the Department of Health in concert with other Government Departments and agencies involved in the wider threat assessments.