§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any explanation for unusual illnesses suffered by the wives and pre-war children of British forces who served in Operation Granby.
§ Lord HenleyNo requests have been received on behalf of the civilian wives or pre-war children of British forces personnel who served in the Gulf for medical assessment under our medical assessment programme for those concerned about their health as a result of Operation Grabby. Nor have we received any reports of such unusual illnesses among categories of service dependents. One United Kingdom servicewoman who served in the Gulf, and is married to a Gulf veteran, has come forward claiming that a medical condition is due to her service there, but has yet to be assessed by my department's specialist.
§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have received any reports of unexplained abortions, congenital malfunctions or 77WA illnesses from British forces who served in Operation Granby of their wives, who have conceived babies the end of the Operation ended, and if not, whether they intend to conduct any research on the subject.
§ Lord HenleyThe defence medical services have received reports of six cases which are alleged to fall into the categories mentioned, but no substantive evidence. These include one reported birth defect in a child born to the wife of a United Kingdom Gulf veteran, one miscarriage, three reports of children suffering from specified illnesses, and one reported loss of child. Five of these cases relate to potential claims which may be made against my department. We are also aware of media reports alleging an increased incidence of these health difficulties. We have no evidence to suggest that the incidence of miscarriage, genetic defects or infant morbidity among the spouses or children of United Kingdom Gulf veterans is any higher than that experienced in the general population, or that further research is required, although we shall continue to monitor developments.
§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are conducting any formal surveillance on any individuals who may have been exposed to depleted uranium from anti-tank shells during Operation Granby, and if so whether any distinction is being made between those who did and those who did not receive instructions on safety precautions to be followed when handling the shells or other contaminated articles.
§ Lord HenleyThe health of all service personnel is monitored as a matter of routine and there is no evidence of members of the British armed forces who served in the Gulf suffering from any symptoms which would call for such surveillance. None of the individuals coming forward with concerns about their health as a result of service in the Gulf who have so far been examined have displayed symptoms consistent with exposure to depleted uranium.