To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work is being carried out by his Department to analyse the chemical warfare mental incapacitant Agent 15; where this work is being conducted; and what is the scientific name of Agent 15. [38606]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 9 February 1998, Official Report, columns 3–6, that the Ministry of Defence was considering how best to investigate Agent 15 further. This process continues; we are currently reviewing all available information on this agent and related compounds, with the assistance of CBD Porton Down. No laboratory work is being carried out at present. I expect to make an announcement when this process is complete.Agent 15 is one of a large group of chemicals known as glycollates (esters of glycollic acid). Its scientific name remains classified for non-proliferation reasons, because it reveals details of the agent's chemical structure and would thus be of value to a country which wished to produce it.