§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to carry out checks on results following the publication of the research study of miscarriages and birth defects amongst the children of Gulf War veterans; and if he will set up an independent inquiry into all reports of serious health problems amongst veterans. [164190]
§ Mr. Caplin[holding answer 29 March 2004]: I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 24 March 2004, Official Report, column WS44. In addition, the researchers have identified some additional work that is being undertaken within the scope of the original research. With regard to miscarriage the researchers are looking into measures of infertility as this often relates to early miscarriage. On renal anomalies, a more in-depth study of the diagnosis within this group is being conducted.
The Government are not convinced that an independent inquiry would help. The possibility that we may look again at this matter has not been ruled out but, in the present circumstances, it is only through the programme of research initiated by the Government that we are ever likely to be able to establish the causes of Gulf veterans' illnesses.