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Ministry of Defence;Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

Answer

Mr. Livingstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what restrictions are placed on staff at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment in respect of testing chemical agents on themselves; when this policy was introduced; and if staff who break this policy are subject to disciplinary action. [28037] Mr. Arbuthnot: This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member. Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 9 May 1996: I have been asked to reply to your question about staff at the former Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment testing substances on themselves since this falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency which includes CBD Sector in one of its divisions. Staff in what is now called the Protection and Life Sciences Division, Porton Down are not permitted to test chemical agents on themselves. This has been a long standing policy of the establishment at Porton Down but we have been unable to find a date on which this policy was formally introduced. We are aware that some experiments were conducted involving staff and the incapacitating drug LSD in the early 1960s but we are unaware of any other formal studies since that time having been undertaken involving members of staff. If any member of staff was found to have deviated from the policy on self testing they would be subject to the same disciplinary action expected for any other infringement of workplace regulations. I hope this information is helpful.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

28037; 277 c221-2W

Session

1995-96

Subjects

Disciplinary proceedings Civil servants Chemicals Testing Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment