Written question asked by Ken Livingstone (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 June 1996. It was answered by Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative) on Thursday, 6 June 1996 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence;Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

Question: When the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment carried out experiments with service volunteers involving the nerve agent GE; and what were the conclusions of this work. - Text of letter from John Chisholm of DERA.

Answer: Mr. Livingstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment carried out experiments with service volunteers involving the nerve agent GE; and what were the conclusions of this work.[31348] Mr. Arbuthnot: This is a matter for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the hon. Member. Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 6 June 1996: I have been asked to reply to your question about experiments with Service volunteers involving the nerve agent GE. The Chemical Biological Defence Sector (CBD) at Porton Down is now part of the Protection and Life Sciences division (PLSD) of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) for which I am responsible as Chief Executive. The nerve agent GE was investigated in the early years of the nerve agent programme and those studies indicated that it caused similar effects to other organophosphorus nerve agents. No work involving GE and Service volunteers has been carried out since the early 1950's. I hope this information is helpful.

Secondary information