Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 January 1996. It was answered by Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative) on Tuesday, 16 January 1996 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: How many members of the Ethics Committee overseeing the service volunteers programme at the Chemical Defence Establishment since 1991 had previously (a) served on a committee related to the work of Porton Down, (b) worked at Porton Down and (c) been in receipt of an extramural contract from Porton Down.

Answer: Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the ethics committee overseeing the service volunteers programme at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment since 1991 had previously (a) served on a committee related to the work of Porton Down, (b) worked at Porton Down and (c) been in receipt of an extramural contract from Porton Down. [9045] Mr. Arbuthnot: Two members of the independent ethics committee were members of the medical committee of the Chemical and biological defence board of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council in the 1970s and 1980s. The chemical, biological and human technology board replaced the chemical and biological defence board in 1994. Three members of the committee are members of the successor board. None of the independent members of the ethics committee has been employed at CBDE Porton Down. The technical director and the senior military officer of CBDE, who are in attendance at the ethics committee meetings, are employees of the Ministry of Defence. None of the members of the ethics committee is currently in receipt of an extramural contract from Porton Down

Secondary information