Written question asked by Helen Jones (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 March 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 March 2000. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Thursday, 30 March 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish information about the United Kingdom's chemical protection programme. - Includes ref to summary, copy in Library Dep 00/602).

Answer: Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish information about the United Kingdom's chemical protection programme. [117307] Mr. Spellar: The UK's chemical protection programme is designed to protect against the use of chemical weapons. Such a programme is permitted by the Chemical Weapons Convention, with which the United Kingdom is fully compliant. Under the terms of the Convention, we are required to provide information annually to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. In accordance with the Government's commitment to openness, I am placing in the House of Commons Library a copy of the summary which has been provided to the Organisation outlining the UK's chemical protection programme for 1999.

Secondary information