§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why, when their attention was first drawn to the conjecture that organophosphate poisoning was the cause of Gulf War Syndrome in July 1995, as later 97WA reported in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry in March 1996, they did not commission research on neurological dysfunction in agricultural workers exposed to large doses of organophosphates; why they did not consult the French authorities about different practices adopted by the French armed forces, what discussions they held with Professor Peter Spencer of the Department of Environmental Studies of Oregon University in June 1995 about the aetiology of Gulf War Syndrome, and why the advice he gave was not then acted upon.
Earl HoweThe harmful effects of large doses of organophosphate products are already well known and documented. The Government also receive reports of the rare incidents involving such high levels of exposure resulting from the accidental mishandling of these products. Research into this area is therefore not needed. My department is in touch with the French authorities about the use of pesticides in the Gulf War. MoD officials were in contact with Professor Spencer in mid-1995 on his proposal for a US-funded research project. My department is not aware of having received any specific advice from Professor Spencer.