§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) pursuant to his answer of 28 January 2004,Official Report, column 444W, on pesticides, what assessment he has made of the potential for terrorist use of (a) unrestricted chemicals, (b) unrestricted pesticides, (c) restricted but commercially available chemicals and (d) restricted but commercially available pesticides; [152858]
(2) what discussions he has had regarding the misuse of pesticides containing aldicarb with (a) the Pesticides Safety Directorate, (b) the Health and Safety Executive and (c) the Health Protection Agency. [152859]
§ Mr. Blunkett[holding answer 4 February 2004]Counter terrorist and protective security planning takes account of the many available substances which could potentially be used by terrorists but have legitimate industrial, commercial or household use. Regulation of such dangerous substances is, of course, determined by environmental, health and public safety considerations in the first instance, and is a matter for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
We continue to strengthen our defences against terrorist attacks by having appropriate protective security measures in place.