Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stuart Andrew and Stephen Hammond

Monday 22nd October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) (Con)]

5. What steps his Department is taking to increase investment in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence capability.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Stuart Andrew)]

The UK has world-leading counter-chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear capabilities. The MOD has committed around £950 million to maintain and improve these over the next 10 years.

[Stephen Hammond]

The Minister will know that following Salisbury, the armed forces played a vital role in identifying the nerve agent and helping to clear up the scene. Will he reassure the House that the MOD will do everything that it can to ensure that the investment in that capability will be maintained and increased?

[Stuart Andrew]

Absolutely, and I pay tribute to all those who worked so carefully and so hard in Salisbury and Amesbury on our behalf. As I said, the £950 million is there to improve this over the next 10 years. That includes £48 million to help to set up a new chemical weapons defence centre in Porton Down to make sure that we maintain our cutting-edge capability in chemical analysis and defence.