An MP claims film archive of controversial tests on human volunteers and animals at the chemical warfare centre, Porton Down, is to be destroyed.

Liberal Democrat Matthew Taylor says he has received information that films dating back up to 30 years will be destroyed unless the Imperial War Museum starts paying fees for them to be vetted for security reasons.

The museum already has 70 Porton Down films, but has been told it must now pay fees if any further films are to be handed over for safe keeping.

Mr Taylor says he has been informed that unless the museum agrees to fund the �12,000 fee by Thursday, potentially important footage over 30-years-old will be destroyed.

Anthrax test

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) denies any films identified by Mr Taylor are to be destroyed.

It is understood the reels of film include records of tests of biological agents such as anthrax and drugs such as LSD.

Mr Taylor has written to Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon to demand a halt to any destruction of the films.

More than 3,000 volunteers have undergone tests

He also wants government money to fund the study of the films.

Wiltshire Police is currently carrying out a criminal investigation into allegations that the health of soldiers subjected to tests at the top-secret establishment on Salisbury Plain was permanently damaged.

There is also the potential for civil action from the volunteers themselves.

A spokesman from the MoD said: "There are no plans to destroy any films from the historical archive.

'Under pressure'

"There is no way we would destroy anything which could be part of a police investigation."

He added that films not deemed of historical interest were routinely destroyed on a daily basis, but this did not affect the films identified by Mr Taylor.

But the MP said he has obtained an e-mail from a member of staff at Porton Down which made it clear the films were in danger of being destroyed.

The e-mail stated: "I am under pressure from my management to sort out the archive once and for all.

"The would include destruction of material over 30 years not selected for permanent retention.

"If the IWM is prepared to pay for the sensitivity review of all of part of the items listed, please let me know before 18 July.

'Evidence contradicted'

"If you do not respond, I will assume that the matter is closed."

Mr Taylor said: "Parliamentary answers I have been consistently given by the Ministry of Defence totally contradict the evidence I have that these film archives are going to be disposed of.

"I understand that some of this material may be sensitive, but the Ministry of Defence must undertake a comprehensive review of this before it is destroyed."

He added that the Imperial War Museum already stored "sensitive" material in the form of footage of shell-shocked soldiers, which had not been released to the public.

Last month, a scientific team began a one-year study into claims that servicemen were poisoned by chemical warfare tests at Porton Down.