Written question asked by Julian Lewis (Conservative) on Tuesday, 7 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 November 2000. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 November 2000 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement about the Biopreparat organisation in Russia and the manufacture of biological weapons.

Answer: Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the Biopreparat organisation in Russia and the manufacture of biological weapons. [137929] Mr. Hain: We are aware of widely-publicised accounts that Biopreparat was originally established to support the biological weapons programme of the former Soviet Union. We do not however comment on intelligence matters. Russia is a State Party and Depositary Government of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and is currently involved in negotiations on a legally- binding Protocol to strengthen the Convention. The UK Believes that this Protocol will improve transparency and provide internationally agreed mechanisms with which to pursue compliance concerns.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 137929; 356 c684W;356 c683-4W
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Biological weapons Industry Production Russia Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk