VIRUSES which could cause brucellosis and plague were released into
the Minch in the 1950s, Western Isles
Labour MP Calum MacDonald claimed yesterday following a letter to him
from one of Britain's top scientists.
He has now called on Defence Secretary Malcolm Rifkind to commission
an independent report on the test exercises Operations Cauldron and
Hesperus in 1952 and 1953, and all similar chemical weapons tests
''about which the public reasonably seek reassurance.''
An initial Commons question by him to the Ministry of Defence was
referred to the director-general of the Chemical and Biological Defence
Establishment at Porton Down, Wiltshire.
In his letter, Dr Pearson said: ''The papers on Operations Cauldron
and Hesperus are classified, and it would not be in the natioinal
interest to make these available as the information therein could be
misused by States seeking to acquire a biological weapons capability.
''The pathogens used were as follows: (a) Operation Cauldron: the
pathogens that cause brucellosis and plague. (b) Operation Hesperus: the
pathogens that cause brucellosis and tularaemia.''
Dr Pearson added: ''The safety aspects of handling, transport and
packaging were all carefully addressed to ensure there was no danger to
any of those engaged in the trial.
''There is no cause to believe that there was any hazard to the public
or the environment and there is no evidence to the contrary.
Mr MacDonald said: ''This reply is deeply unsatisfactory and does
not provide any of the reassurances which I and my constituents seek
about the tests.''
It was not satisfactory that the same Government organisation which
carried out ''potentially highly dangerous experiments'' should be
allowed to pass the final judgment on itself regarding the health
implications both then and subsequently.
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