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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service volunteers were tested with the oripavine derivative TL 2636 by staff of the chemical defence establishment, Porton Down, and in what years; for what reasons the tests were (a) started and (b) ended; what the results of these tests were; how many technical papers recording the results of these tests have been produced by Porton Down staff; and what research has been carried out by his Department to establish the long-term effects of this chemical on the health of individuals. [146687] Dr. Moonie: The Service Volunteer Programme at the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of DERA at Porton Down has undertaken research with the oripavine derivative TL 2636 as an incapacitating agent, part of which has involved service volunteers. The results of this aspect of research are collated in two formal technical papers, one of which covers the period between August 1961 and November 1963 and the second which details a particular trial in January 1968. However, there are several other technical papers which discuss different aspects of the research programme pertaining to this compound. The volunteer studies were undertaken because there was concern that this or similar compounds may be deployed against the UK armed forces to cause temporary incapacitation. A total of 141 service volunteers were involved in these studies which concluded that oripavine had the potential to cause both physical and mental incapacitation. To date no long-term follow-up studies have been undertaken, however TL 2636 is a member of the same group of drugs as morphine which has been used clinically for many years. The current evidence suggests that following single, acute doses of such compounds there are no significant long-term effects on health.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

146687; 361 c659W;361 c657-8W

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Armed forces Chemical and biological warfare Chemical weapons Research Voluntary work Chemical Defence Establishment Oripavine

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk