Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to increase the UK's counter- (a) chemical, (b) biological (c) radiological and (d) nuclear capabilities.

The Ministry of Defence has a range of capabilities which contribute to the Government's overall strategy to counter the Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threat. Defence has a number of programmes in train to enhance its Counter-CBRN capabilities to detect and remove CBRN threats and to protect UK Forces in the event of an attack. Building on existing capabilities, this will deliver a UK response that includes: early warning and detection, individual and collective protection, treatment and post-crisis management, and intelligence and analysis.