To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) which chemicals may be used (a) to impregnate, (b) to restore, (c) to protect and (d) to disinfect tentage used in field hospitals; (78545)

There are a total of seven complete field hospital modular tent systems for use by UK land forces, which would all normally be stored in the UK. The current in-service field hospital tentage is programmed for replacement in 2010 and the future requirement for exact numbers and type is yet to be determined.

For tent material procured before 2000 the type of chemical used to provide rot-proofing is Pentachlorophenol Laurate (PCPL). Tentage purchased after 2000 uses an agent known as Mystox TRP. Mystox TRP is also currently used to provide protection for fire-retardancy and waterproofing. Both treatments are compliant with current EU and UK health and safety legislation. Field hospital tentage is not routinely subject to disinfection.