§ Vera BairdTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been put in place to provide support to the Service personnel who return from the Gulf suffering from(a) physical and (b) mental injury; and if he will make a statement. [110417]
§ Dr. MoonieArmed forces personnel who return from the Gulf with physical or mental injury would receive appropriate medical treatment from within the Defence Medical Services or the NHS. Welfare support to injured personnel would be provided by the armed forces as necessary.
I also refer the hon. Member to my written statement of 7 May 2003, Official Report, column 34WS, announcing plans for research into the physical and psychological health of personnel who deployed to the Gulf. Currently, there is no evidence of any health problems following this deployment, but research is being set in hand now, in the light of experience gained from the 1990–91 Gulf conflict, in case health concerns arise. I also announced that personnel who deployed 302W and are concerned about possible exposure to depleted uranium, are entitled to a urine test, and that those who deployed and have concerns about their health generally, will be able to attend the Medical Assessment Programme, which we established following the 1990–91 Gulf conflict.