Ronald Maddison died after an experiment at Porton Down

The discussion comes just months after a court ruling that a young RAF serviceman was unlawfully killed through being exposed to Sarin.

The Wiltshire-based chemical warfare laboratories were used over many decades to develop weapons and Britain's defences against them.

Ronald Maddison from County Durham died after exposure to sarin liquid in 1953.

The official inquest at the time ruled death was by misadventure although the coroner ruled he died of asphyxia.

Fifty years on, the Maddison family is asking for an apology from the Ministry of defence after the historic verdict by a Wiltshire jury last November that Mr Maddison was unlawfully killed.

The hundreds of other servicemen who took part in similar nerve gas experiments are now demanding a fully independent public inquiry.

But the MoD is seeking to overturn the coroner's ruling. On Tuesday MPs will debate the matter in the House of Commons.