§ Mr. LazarowiczTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 5 February 2003,Official Report, column 321W, what steps he is taking to monitor the effectiveness of the 472W provisions cited in his answer in helping the UK to meet its obligations under the Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention. [101809]
§ Mr. BlunkettFurther to my answer of 5 February, statistical information on use of the powers under sections 113 and 114 of the Anti Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001 (ATCS) is collected regularly. The powers have been used in respect of two juveniles, detained on hoaxing charges and released on bail pending trial.
As a result of investigations in London, four people have been charged under section 2 of the Chemical Weapons Act 1996. In a subsequent investigation five other people have been charged under section 1 (1) of the Criminal Law Act 1967 with conspiracy to produce or develop chemical weapons. The protective security arrangements surrounding the security of pathogens and toxins under part 7 of the ATCS are being taken forward as part of the implementation of the Act.