§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the auxiliary services served in the Gulf war; and if he will list the number of personnel and their unit. [7680]
§ Mr. SoamesA total of 1,774 reservists were called out or recalled in support of the Gulf conflict. Of these, 877 were members of the volunteer reserve forces and 897 had a liability for call-out or recall as a result of previous regular service. They served, among others, with medical, movements, intelligence and military police units and in public relations posts. In addition, members of the Territorial Army undertook short periods of service as members of the Regular Army in the Gulf or in support of operations: they served, again among others, in infantry and transport units.
A full list of the units concerned, and the number of reserve personnel who served with each, could be produced only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what inquiries he has instituted into the recent allegations made by service men who served in the Gulf war that chemical weapons were used by Iraq. [7615]
§ Mr. SoamesNo confirmed reports of the detection of chemical warfare agent have been received relating to the Gulf conflict.