Written question asked by Lord Taylor of Goss Moor (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 2 May 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 May 2001. It was answered by Lord Moonie (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 May 2001 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if service volunteers who took part in experiments at the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down are entitled to receive a copy of technical reports which describe the experiments in which they participated.

Answer: Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if service volunteers who took part in experiments at the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down are entitled to receive a copy of technical reports which describe the experiments in which they participated. [160491] Dr. Moonie: The Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of DERA at Porton Down respond to all inquiries from ex-Porton Down volunteers and these responses include an invitation to visit Porton Down to view the original record books and discuss any details with current members of staff. Volunteers who visit CBD are given copies of records that refer to them personally and copies of other documentation, including technical reports, where they add relevant information to that already located in the volunteer records books. This is decided on a case-to- case basis. Technical reports do not usually include names or personal detail and it is often not possible to relate reports to studies in which individual volunteers took part.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 160491; 368 c196W
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Chemical and biological warfare Personal records Research Voluntary work
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk