HL Deb 19 February 1996 vol 569 cc65-6WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether French military personnel were in action in the same theatres of operation as the British and American military personnel during the Gulf War, and whether they performed similar duties.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe):

The French deployed forces from all three services to the Gulf area. Air and sea units were located in approximately the same areas as British forces. French Army forces were initially based in the same area as British forces hut during the ground operations the French served with a US Corps that deployed further west and north of where British troops deployed.

The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there have been any reports of Gulf War syndrome amongst French military personnel who were involved in the Gulf War.

Earl Howe:

No reports have been received that French military personnel who served in the Gulf War are suffering from unexplained illnesses or increased prevalence of illness related to that service.

The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether reports that the French Commander in Chief directly ordered that no French Military personnel should he administered the vaccination "cocktails.' given to British and American personnel and also that French personnel should not take pyridostigmine bromide (NAPS) tablets, are correct.

Earl Howe:

We are not aware of any order being given by the French Commander in Chief that French personnel should not he given any prophylactic anti-biological and chemical warfare measures. However, we understand that French personnel were not offered anti-biological warfare vaccines or NAPS tablets.