Written question asked by Tam Dalyell (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 April 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 April 2004. It was answered by Tony Blair (Labour) on Monday, 26 April 2004 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Prime Minister, what response he has given to the submission of the Royal Society on the case for a research centre to investigate the dangers from chemical and biological weapons.

Answer: Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister what response he has given to the submission of the Royal Society on the case for a research centre to investigate the dangers from chemical and biological weapons. [168624] The Prime Minister: We have not formally responded to the Royal Society Report. Senior Home Office scientists and the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government have arranged to meet the Chair of the working group, Professor Herbert Huppert, shortly to discuss the group's recommendations. The report confirms that the Government's approach to coordinating the scientific response to terrorism is the right one. We are in complete agreement on the desired outcome towards a coordinated, cross-government research programme driven by the unique requirements of civil defence. The Government have put in place the measures needed to deliver this, including a cross- government civil counter terrorism research programme led by the Home Office Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Team.

Secondary information