§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has relating to possible psychological aspects of Desert Storm syndrome; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. HanleyWe have no evidence to support the existence of a medical condition peculiar to armed forces service in the Gulf conflict, so statements on its possible psychological aspects would be mere speculation.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what new information he has received in the last six months relating to Desert Storm syndrome; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyMy Department has continued to receive information relating to the alleged Desert Storm syndrome over the past six months from various sources. The information and sources are too numerous to list in detail but include:
- (a) the results of medical assessments on those United Kingdom service and ex-service personnel concerned that their health might have been affected by their Gulf service, who came forward in response to my offer to such personnel of investigation by armed forces medical services' specialists.
- (b) information from the United States authorities about the investigations and research they are undertaking into the existence of the alleged Syndrome.
- (c) correspondence from various individuals and organisations concerning claims that service and ex-service personnel who served in the Gulf are suffering unexplained illnesses.
- (d) media reports of the alleged existence of Desert Storm syndrome.
To date none of the information has provided scientific evidence to support claims of the existence of a medical condition peculiar to service in the Gulf conflict.