by Malcolm Withers and Patrick Hennessy - A major terrorist alert was sparked today after it emerged the Government has bought 30 million anti-smallpox vaccines, enough to protect half Britain's population from a biological attack.
Ministers have spent £32 million bolstering defences against the disease, after a review in the wake of the 11 September assault on the US pinpointed glaring deficiencies in Britain's shield against germ warfare.
Today's deal with British company Powder-Ject Pharmaceuticals will help replenish stockpiles so that, within 12 months, health chiefs will have enough vaccine to protect at least half the population - more if the doses are divided up.
Government officials rushed to make it clear that the order did not mean Britain was immediately being put on a higher state of alert against a biological attack. However, both the US and Russia have already stockpiled anti-smallpox vaccines.
There have been credible reports that Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime has acquired supplies of smallpox, as have other rogue nations, and there are fears that the al Qaeda terrorist network could also have obtained the virus.
Whitehall stuck to the line it has held since 11 September, that while all necessary precautions were being taken, there is no specific, credible threat to Britain, and no evidence of an imminent large-scale terrorist assault on the country.
A Health Department spokesman said today: "As part of the Government's continuing vigilance against international terrorism we have acquired supplies of smallpox vaccine. There is no credible threat but it is important for the Government to take all necessary steps to ensure the protection of the population."
It was being pointed out, however, that there were specific fears earlier this year that Britain did not have adequate protection against the threat of smallpox, which is more contagious and deadly than anthrax.
Smallpox has a fatality rate of 30 per cent or more when used as a biological weapon, according to US public health research. While it was effectively eradicated worldwide in 1977, it has long been feared as the most devastating of all infectious disease.
After 1977 some supplies of smallpox were held at heavily guarded laboratories in both the former Soviet Union and the US. However, it has long been suspected that samples have been smuggled out and have fallen into the hands of international terrorists.
Tony Blair has repeatedly warned of the dangers of not taking action against regimes which have the potential to develop weapons of mass destruction, including chemical and biological materials.
Only last weekend the issue was high on the agenda as he held talks with President George W Bush in Texas. Mr Blair's tough line on Iraq has led him into trouble with Labour MPs, who are protesting against moves to take military action.
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