Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Monday, 13 October 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 October 2008. It was answered by Lord Davies of Stamford (Labour) on Monday, 20 October 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Wouter Basson

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will direct the relevant authorities to investigate the claim made by Wouter Basson during his trial in South Africa in July 2000 that he was able to purchase defence software developed in the UK through colleagues at Porton Down; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: I have been asked to reply.I believe that this question relates to a statement made by Dr. Wouter Basson, during the Truth and Reconciliation Council hearings in July 2001, that a colleague was paid to obtain a NATO approved Hazard Prediction Software, which utilised a data base initially developed at Porton Down. Officials at Dstl Porton Down have reviewed the claim and have been unable to identify any evidence to support the allegation that this software was obtained from staff at Porton Down.

Secondary information