The British government plans to create a new criminal offence of "providing or receiving training in the use of hazardous substances" which will also cover other terrorist techniques, Home Office minister Hazel Blears announced tonight.
In a letter to opposition spokesmen released to the media, the minister said the aim of the new offence was to allow suspects to be prosecuted before they committed atrocities.
The definition of hazardous substances will be based on international conventions, she said. She also confirmed plans to introduce a new offence of "acts preparatory to terrorism" and another to criminalise those inciting terrorism indirectly.