§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of whether universities satisfactorily ensure physical, personnel and information security in the performance of biodefence research; what assessment he has made of the case for moving such research from university laboratories to secure national laboratories; and if he will make a statement. [147541]
§ Mr. BlunkettI have been asked to reply.
We do not comment on detailed security matters such as these but the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 provides controls on both physical and personnel security measures for premises holding dangerous substances.
1313WIt has conferred new powers on the police under Part 7 and Schedule 5 and was implemented 31 May 2002. These include:
Notification Process—"the occupier of any premises" where a Schedule 5 substance is "kept or used" is required to notify the Home Office.Confers powers on the police to inspect such premises and give directions on protective security advice.Confers powers on the police to seek information and obliges laboratories to provide information to them.