Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Integrated Review 2021, what resources his Department has allocated to strengthen security to meet the potential threat of a terrorist attack using CBRN weapons by 2030.

Through the Modernising Defence Programme and now the Integrated Review, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has committed to invest over £880 million over the next ten years to develop and maintain its counter-Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) capability. Capability development and delivery is focussed on physical protection, medical countermeasures, hazard management, sensing and knowledge management. This commitment has been enabled by over £130 million from the MOD's own science and technology programme over the past four years. The future MOD science and technology capabilities and portfolio are currently being assessed and will continue to support Defence's ability to counter current and emerging threats. The MOD also plans to spend £12 million over the next four years to reduce the risks of such attacks, through the International Biological Security Programme.

CBRN weapon use remains an enduring and growing threat to the UK, our deployed forces and international stability. To counter this threat, we will have capabilities in place that allow us to maintain our political and military freedom of action despite the presence, threat or use of CBRN materials. The MOD must also be prepared to provide counter-CBRN forces to support a UK homeland resilience response to multiple threats and maintain our contingent capability to operate overseas. The United Kingdom's world leading CBRN science and technology capability will continue to play a vital part in maintaining our counter-CBRN operational advantage and in countering current and emerging CBRN threats.

The MOD's capabilities must be viewed within the context of cross Government activity and the Department readily contributes to the United Kingdom's wider counter-CBRN capabilities and activities. These include those of the Counter Proliferation and Arms Control Centre, inter-agency operations in the homeland and overseas and collaboration with our key allies around the world.