§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to establish a veterans' assessment centre. [151689]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 5 March 2001]: There is already a Ministry of Defence Medical Assessment Programme for Gulf Veterans and Porton Down Volunteers. The possible requirement for a Veterans' Assessment Centre to deal with health concerns that arise from time to time is addressed in the consultation document entitled "Introduction of a Voluntary Screening Programme Following Health Concerns in Respect of Depleted Uranium", published on 13 February. We will consider the merits of a veterans' assessment centre as part of our evaluation of the responses received.