Written question asked by Ken Livingstone (Labour) on Thursday, 23 July 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 July 1998. It was answered by Tony Lloyd (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 July 1998 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the laboratory tests on the fresh samples of missile warhead fragments which were removed from Iraq earlier this year and are alleged to contain traces of VX nerve gas and VX stabiliser are expected to be completed.

Answer: Mr. Livingstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the laboratory tests on the fresh samples of missile warhead fragments which were removed from Iraq earlier this year and are alleged to contain traces of VX nerve gas and VX stabiliser are expected to be completed. [53104] Mr. Tony Lloyd: On 14 July, fresh samples were collected from missile warhead fragments in Iraq by an UNSCOM team including French and Swiss experts. The samples are now being analysed in Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) accredited laboratories in France and Switzerland. UNSCOM does not expect to receive the full results of the new tests before September.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 53104; 317 c302W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Chemical and biological warfare Chemical weapons Iraq Nuclear weapons Testing VX nerve gas