asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on his increasing concern that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is using lethal gas in Afghanistan or is preparing for its use elsewhere.

Reports of Soviet use of chemical weapons in Afghanistan are disturbing, particularly when added to those that suggest use in South-East Asia. The Government have no hard evidence that would confirm the allegations. There is, however, no doubt that the Soviet Union holds large stocks of chemical weapons and that Soviet troops are fully trained to use them.