HC Deb 18 July 2003 vol 409 cc987-8W
Mr. David Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the outcome of Operation Antler. [125654]

Ms Blears

Under Operation Antler, Wiltshire constabulary have investigated the issues surrounding the Service Volunteer Programme at Porton Down in relation to experiments conducted into the use of chemical and biological agents during the period 1939 to 1989. The Crown Prosecution Service announced on 8 July 2003 that there should be no prosecution of any person for any criminal offences arising from evidence reviewed to date on allegations made about experiments carried out on human volunteers at Porton Down, Wiltshire from 1939 to 1989.

As inquiries continue in one further case it would be inappropriate for me to make a statement on the outcome of Operation Antler at this stage.