House of Commons Hansard Debates for 24 Feb 1995

Captain Chris Kelly

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the committee of inquiry into the death of Captain Chris Kelly will commence.

Mr. Soames: The board of inquiry will reconvene once the commanding officer has taken any disciplinary action which may be required as a result of the findings of the inquest into Captain Kelly's death. My Department requires a copy of the transcript of the inquest from the coroner's court before any further action can be taken. A copy of this is awaited.

Burtonwood

Mr. Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future use of Burtonwood air base.

Mr. Soames: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 16 February, Official Report, column 724.

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Nerve Agents

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the assessment drawn from the research into the ease of acquisition of the precursors for GD mentioned in his answer of 24 June 1994, Official Report, column 378 79.

Mr. Soames: This is a matter for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, CBDE, to write to the hon. Member. Letter from Graham Pearson to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 24 February 1995:

1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking what was the assessment drawn from the research into the ease of acquisition of the precursors for GD mentioned in his Answer of 24 June 1994, Official Report, columns 378 9, has been passed to me to answer as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

2. The role of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment is to carry out work to ensure that the UK Armed Forces are provided with effective protective measures against the threat that chemical and biological weapons may be used against them. As part of this work the potential hazard of possible chemical and biological warfare agents is assessed and the effectiveness of British protective measures evaluated.

3. The work carried out into the ease of acquisition of the precursors for GD was to determine whether the precursors were or were not available and what the costs were likely to be, whether it would be cheaper or easier to synthesise them and to assess which particular process was cheapest, easiest and safest. This work showed that the precursor methyl phosphonic dichloride was of particular importance and could be prepared by several chemical processes.

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Leyton on 20 December, Official Report, column 1173, in which years since 1965 CR gas was synthesised and produced at (a) Porton Down and (b) Nancekuke.

1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking pursuant to his Answer to the Honourable Member for Leyton on 20 December, Official Report, column 1173, in which years since 1965 CR gas was synthesised and produced at (a) Porton Down and (b) Nancekuke has been passed to me to answer as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

3. The synthesis of CR was first reported in the Journal of the Chemical Society in 1962 by two scientists, Higginbottom and Suschitzsky, working in academia. Our records indicate that it was synthesised at Porton Down in the early to mid 1960s and small quantities were synthesised between 1965 and 1975 for research studies. Work on producing CR also began at Nancekuke in the early 1960s and continued until 1977.

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the conclusions of the studies on CR gas on service volunteers mentioned in his answer of 24 June, Official Report , column 383 , in relation to the physiological tests to determine the effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems; with which other countries the results of these studies were shared; and

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under which defence agreement the results were exchanged.

1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking what were the conclusions of the studies on CR gas on Service volunteers mentioned in his Answer of 24 June, Official Report, column 383, in relation to the physiological tests to determine the effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems; with which other countries the results of these studies were shared; and under which defence agreement the results were exchanged, has been passed to me to answer as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

2. The role of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment is to ensure that the UK Armed Forces are provided with effective protective measures against the threat that chemical and biological weapons may be used against them. In order to carry out this work, it is necessary to use Service volunteers to:

a. Assess the ability of Service personnel to function with new equipment and procedures.

b. Develop medical countermeasures to protect Service personnel, and

c. Evaluate the effects of very low and medically safe concentrations of CW agents on the ability of unprotected personnel to operate normally.

No studies involving volunteers are carried out unless there is a clear military need and a detailed protocol has been reviewed and approved by an independent Ethics Committee in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Royal College of Physicians.

3. The conclusions of the studies into CR carried out at CBDE Porton Down have been largely reported in the article entitled "Riot control agents: biomedical and health aspects of the use of chemicals in civil disturbances" by Bryan Ballantyne and published in the Medical Annual 1977; John Wright, Bristol. As CR solution has a negligible vapour pressure, few effects on the respiratory tract would be expected after the use of liquid formulations. Studies into the pulmonary function of volunteers exposed to vaporised CR showed no significant change in the respiratory capability. Cardiovascular studies using vaporised CR showed no significant effect.

4. The results of this work were part of the chemical and biological defence programme and would have formed part of the technical database drawn upon in collaboration with the United States, Australia and Canada under the Technical Cooperation Programme and its predecessors and with the United States and Canada under the Memorandum of Understanding on Chemical and Biological Defence.

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of research on the nerve agent GF at the nerve agent plant at Nancekuke, Cornwall; what quantities of nerve agent GF were used in this research; whether the results of this research were shared with any other countries; and under which defence agreements these results were exchanged.

1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking what was the purpose of research on the nerve agent GF at the Nerve agent plant at Nancekuke, Cornwall; what quantities of nerve agent GF were used in this research; whether the results of this research were shared with any other countries; and under which defence agreements these results were exchanged has been passed

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to me to answer as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

2. The role of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment is to carry out work to ensure that the United Kingdom Armed Forces are provided with effective protective measures against the threat that chemical and biological weapons may be used against them. As part of this work the potential hazard of possible chemical and biological warfare agents is assessed and the effectiveness of British protective measures evaluated.

3. The programme of research on GF was part of the research into the processes which would be involved in the production of any of the G series of agents. The chemistry of GF is similar to that of GB and production would be dependant upon the same intermediate. Since GF was slightly more toxic than GB by the percutaneous route, and also more persistent with a volatility intermediate in the G series, there were good reasons for continuing the evaluation started by Germany. GF has been made on the laboratory scale at Nancekuke. Work continued at Nancekuke until 1976. The quantities of GF used in this work are not readily available; they are likely to have been pounds.

Chemical and Biological Defence Memoranda of Understanding

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates the 1980 memorandum of understanding on chemical and biological defence between the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Canada has been amended; why these amendments were made; and when the existence of this memorandum was first notified to Parliament.

Mr. Freeman: This is a matter for the chief executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment. I have therefore asked him to reply.

Letter from Graham Pearson to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 24 February 1995 :

1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking on what dates the 1980 Memorandum of Understanding on Chemical and Biological Defence between the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Canada has been amended; why these amendments were made; and when the existence of this memorandum was first notified to Parliament has been passed to me to answer as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment. 2. The Memorandum of Understanding on Chemical and Biological Defence between the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Canada has been amended on eight occasions:

(a) October 1984 to extend the MOU.

(b) March 1985 to clarify an aspect of the MOU.

(d) October 1989 to replace this Annex to the MOU.

(e) October 1989 to extend the MOU.

(f) October 1991 to add an Annex to the MOU.

(g) June 1994 to add an Annex to the MOU.

(h) November 1994 to extend the MOU.

The additional Annexes provide details about areas of collaboration between the three countries concerned.

3. Our records do not indicate when the existence of the Memorandum of Understanding was notified to Parliament. However, it has been referred to in the answer to many Parliamentary Questions during the past five years.

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many memoranda of understanding covering the research, development, production or procurement of

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chemical and biological defence equipment have existed between the United Kingdom and the United States of America since 1965.

Mr. Freeman: This is a matter for the chief executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment. I have therefore asked him to reply.

Letter from Graham Pearson to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 24 February 1995 :

1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking how many Memoranda of Understanding covering the research, development, production or procurement of chemical and biological defence equipment have existed between the United Kingdom and the United States of America since 1965 has been passed to me to answer as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

3. A single Memorandum of Understanding exists which was signed in 1980. This Memorandum of Understanding has been very effective in promoting cooperation and collaboration between the three countries enabling resources to be shared and more robust conclusions to be drawn arising from peer review by the three countries.

Civil Servants (Fast Stream)

Ms Maddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of those accepted for fast-stream entry for which his Department is responsible (a) in 1991, (b) 1992, (c) in 1993 and (d) in 1994 were women.

Mr. Freeman: The information requested for 1991 and 1992 is contained in the civil service commissioners' reports for the relevant years, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. The proportion of women entering the fast stream in the Ministry of Defence in 1993 and 1994 is shown in the table. These figures include successful in- service candidates.


                              |1993|1994     

---------------------------------------------

Number of women               |5   |5        

Total number of men and women |24  |13

Export Finance House

Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Treasury gave its approval to the creation of the state-owned export credit operation of IMS Export Finance House; and if there are any other such state owned export credit operations.

Mr. Freeman: Formal Treasury approval was not required for this commercial initiative by International Military Services Ltd. Our understanding is that the Export Credits Guarantee Department is the only state-owned export credit institution currently operating.

Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the activities of IMS Export Finance House run by the Ministry of Defence are covered by the limits of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development consensus on export support; and whether they are included in the fixed rate export finances scheme.

Mr. Freeman: I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 21 February 1995, Official Report , column 101.

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Works of Art

Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Minister within his Department has the responsibility for ensuring the safe keeping of works of art in Ministry of Defence properties.

Mr. Soames: My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence is the Minister responsible.

Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how often the works of art kept in Ministry of Defence properties have been the subject of an inventory in the last 20 years for which information is available.

Mr. Soames: The staff in my Department who manage works of art in our London headquarters buildings carry out frequent inspections as well as asking all senior staff to account for the works in their offices twice each year. In addition, the government art collection inspects each London building about once a year and other lenders of works will inspect their loans whenever necessary.

Outside London, local managers will carry out inspections as they deem necessary and as lenders of works of art require. In recent years, the government art collection has carried out an inventory check of its works of art on loan to my Department's properties outside London every 12 or 15 months.

Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the approximate value of the paintings entitled (a) "Woman Carrying a Goat", (b) "Crete" and (c) "A Court Martial Case at Deptford".

Mr. Soames: I believe the hon. Member is referring to a print by Michael Ayrton entitled "Woman Carrying a Goat, Crete" which the government art collection values at about £100. The work entitled "A Court Martial Case at Deptford" is a print taken from a publication; the government art collection doubts that it has any commercial value.

Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what system is in operation for the allocation of works of art from the government art collection to Ministry of Defence properties.

Mr. Soames: Ministers and staff of civil service grades 1 to 3 and their service equivalents with offices in central London buildings may borrow works from the government art collection. In general, officials below grade 1, permanent secretary, are allocated only prints. Works of art are allocated subject to the environmental conditions of the rooms in which they will hang satisfying the government art collection's standards. The government art collection will also lend works of art for display in conference rooms within Whitehall office buildings, reception rooms in official residences and the public areas of the Royal College of Defence Studies. With a few exceptions, the government art collection ceased lending additional works to my Department's properties in the regions and abroad in 1981, and has since been implementing a policy of withdrawing existing loans for use elsewhere whenever the opportunity arises.

Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people have been prosecuted for crimes of dishonesty involving works of art kept in Ministry of Defence properties in the last 20 years for which information is available.

Mr. Soames: In the past five years, Ministry of Defence police have solved eight cases where works of

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art, both Government and privately owned, were stolen from Ministry of Defence properties. Central records are not kept of the number of prosecutions resulting from these cases and this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. A detected case of theft would, however, almost certainly result in prosecution.

Information on cases dating back further than the last five years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Land Mines

Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research he has carried out to investigate weapons systems which could act as alternatives to anti-personnel land mines.

Mr. Freeman: The need for anti-personal land mines is kept under review. Such reviews include the investigation of possible alternative ways of carrying out the important defensive role which is currently fulfilled by anti-personnel land mines. Recent operational analysis has not identified any weapon system which could act as an effective alternative to anti-personnel land mines.

War Pensions

Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel who served in Operation Granby have been given war pensions arising out of illness as a result of the immunisation programmes carried out during the operation.

Mr. Arbuthnot: I have been asked to reply.

Records show that a war pension award has been made in one case for a condition related to immunisation.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Integrated Electronic Systems

Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) service, (b) functions and (c) duties are carried out by the Integrated Electronic Systems group for or on behalf of (i) his Department or (ii) its agencies.

Mr. Goodlad: Integrated Electronic Systems, of West Malling, Kent supplied the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with minor amounts of consumable products in 1987 and supplied four items of electronic equipment in 1993.

Salamat Masih

Dr. Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with (a) the Pakistani Muslim community in Britain and (b) the Pakistani Government regarding the death sentence imposed on Salamat Masih; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Baldry: We have made representations to the Pakistani high commission over the Salamat Masih case and initiated action in Islamabad by the European Union. We have not raised the issue with Muslims of Pakistani origin in Britain. Salamat Masih is now reported to have been acquitted on appeal.

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Dr. Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will impose sanctions against Pakistan in response to the Salamat Masih case.

Mr. Baldry: We do not intend to impose sanctions against Pakistan in response to this case. Salamat Masih is now reported to have been acquitted on appeal.

Dr. Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the response from the British Pakistani Muslim community to the Salamat Masih case and sentence.

Mr. Baldry: Our efforts have been directed towards events in Pakistan and the protection of human rights for minorities there. We have not raised the case with Muslims of Pakistani origin in Britain.

Software Counterfeiting

Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Governments of (a) the United Kingdom or (b) Hong Kong about the counterfeiting of software products or software-based products; and what assessment he has made of whether the actions being taken by the Government of the USA or the People's Republic of China as a result of concerns about counterfeiting have had, or could have, any impact on Hong Kong.

Mr. Goodlad: We receive from time to time expressions of concern about piracy of software in countries overseas. We recognise the seriousness of piracy of intellectual property and use all means available to encourage other countries to introduce and enforce acceptable standards of intellectual property protection. The Hong Kong Government have received representations from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry on the need to strengthen controls against compact disc piracy by increasing the maximum statutory penalty for copyright infringement offences. If Sino-American talks on the protection of intellectual property rights do not produce agreement, the US Government's proposed tariffs on certain Chinese merchandise imports are implemented. The Hong Kong

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Government estimate that this could lead to the loss of up to 4,700 jobs in Hong Kong, affect 2.3 per cent. or HK$4.5 billion of Hong Kong's re-exports from China to the United States, and reduce GDP growth by 0.14 per cent.

Somalia (Land Mines)

Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British manufactured Mk.2 anti-personnel mines have been discovered in northern Somalia.

Mr. Douglas Hogg: The United Nations mine-clearance and policy unit informs us that, to the best of its knowledge, no land mines of this type have been found in northern Somalia.

Mr. Shahia Iqbal

Mr. Madden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Mr. Shahia Iqbal--Ref: IMM/89155--made his latest application to join his wife in the United kingdom; when he was interviewed; when a decision will be taken on his application; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Baldry: If the hon. Member would let me know at which post Mr. Shahia Iqbal applied, I will arrange for him to receive a substantive reply from the migration and visa correspondence unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as soon as possible.

Mozambique (Land Mines)

Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received that British manufactured anti-personnel mines became available to and were used by combatants in Mozambique; to which types of mine these refer; where they were made; and what further inquiries he has instituted.

Mr. Douglas Hogg: We have no record of any reports that British anti -personnel mines have been used in Mozambique. We announced on 27 July 1994 an indefinite moratorium on the export of anti-personnel mines which do not have a self-destructing or self-neutralising mechanism.

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