§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria were used in the choice of the senior researcher appointed by his Department to investigate the psychological aspects of Gulf war syndrome; and if he will list the other short listed candidates indicating their qualifications. [16993]
§ Mr. SoamesProfessor Simon Wessely and Professor Anthony David of Kings' college school of medicine and dentistry, London, are conducting a controlled epidemiological and clinical study into the effect of Gulf war service on service men and women of the UK armed forces. This study is being fully funded by the US186W Department of Defence; it was one of 12 studies announced by the US Government in June 1996 following an exhaustive, independent peer review. The main objective of the study is to determine whether service in the Gulf war, and factors specific to the Gulf deployment, are associated with an increase in physical or psychological morbidity. This study will be closely co-ordinated with those announced last December, being undertaken Dr. Doyle and Professor Cherry, which are being funded by my Department.