§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in view of their finding that organophosphate pesticides were used extensively during Operation Granby, they are prepared to reconsider Earl Howe's Written Answer of 30th October (WA 149) by commissioning appropriate research on sick Gulf War veterans; and
Whether, following Earl Howe's reply of 30th October 1995 to the Countess of Mar (WA 149) in which he stated "we currently have no plans to commission specific research into any possible connection between organophosphates and the alleged Gulf War Syndrome", they will now ask the Medical Research Council to reconsider their decision to reject research proposals relating to this subject in the light of their recent findings on organophosphates use in the Gulf.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe)The full range of possible exposure, including organophosphate pesticides, will be examined as part of the epidemiological studies recommended by the MRC and announced by my honourable friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces on 10th December.