§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the respirators on NBC suits issued to UK servicemen in the Gulf have been checked for effectiveness; and if he will make a statement. [103017]
§ Mr. IngramAll NBC respirators issued to service personnel are periodically tested during training in a Hazardous Environment Chamber to ensure they function correctly and are the correct size for the individual concerned. A new Respirator Test System is being delivered into service. It allows respirators—including those issued to deployed personnel—to be tested to an even higher standard.