§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral statement of 17 October,Official Report, column 40, what action he has taken to examine allegations about Gulf war syndrome sickness.
§ Mr. SoamesA medical assessment programme has been established for all former Gulf personnel who have come forward with concerns about their health. As part of the assessment they are given a very detailed medical examination consisting of tests and investigations tailored to the patient's medical and occupational history, their reported symptoms and clinical signs. In addition to clinical information gained through these assessments, we are kept informed of relevant developments by former Gulf allies, including the findings of the ongoing American medical assessment programme for United States Gulf veterans.
Information from the medical assessment programme and from other recognised scientific sources is reviewed by medical and scientific experts in my Department covering a range of specialities, including general medicine, occupational medicine, public health medicine, pathology and psychiatry. These investigations have produced no evidence of any medical condition peculiar to service in the Gulf.