PROTECTION AGAINST GERM WARFARE

Grey River Argus, 28 September 1949, Page 2

PROTECTION AGAINST GERM WARFARE

LONDON.—High above Salisbury Plain where ancient Britons once fought with stone axes, the Government is building a huge £1,000,000 research station to safeguard Britain and the Commonwealth against germ warfare. The main block is one of the biggest buildings in Britain. A team of top-ranking doctors, veterinary surgeons and scientists will shortly move in to begin full scale ''esearch with every available device for the study of bacteria. They will work along three main lines: one —the production of vaccines and antidotes to germs that could be used against people and farm animals. Two—the development of defensive measures against biological weapons aimed at destroying crops. q-j iree —the manufacture of germ bombs to serve as a deterrent to attack. These products will be tested on thousands of acres of plain already wired off and marked “Dangerous.” Meteorological stations with high wind towers have been set up at many points to help the scientists ensure that no poisonous materials escape. The station will be officially known as ' the Microbiological Research Department and it is understood that it will not be affected by cuts in Government expenditure.