HC Deb 18 June 1996 vol 279 cc412-3W
Mr. Alfred Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest number of service men and women who served in the Gulf conflict who have come forward in relation to the Gulf war syndrome; and when he expects to make a further statement about the recommendations contained in the eleventh report of the Defence Committee of Session 1994–95 (HC 197). [32926]

Mr. Soames

The Government take seriously the health concerns of all service personnel, and we are committed to ensuring that those who believe they are ill as a result of their Gulf service receive the best possible treatment. Some 937 service and ex-service men and women have so far came forward for assessment under my Department's medical assessment programme. Some 592 have been seen and we have added a second physician so that those remaining are seen as quickly as possible. I intend to update the House next month on our continuing work on Gulf health issues. This will include progress on the establishment of the programme of detailed research, which is being overseen by the Medical Research Council, that I announced on 30 January 1996,Official Report, columns 607–08.

Mr. Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has so far been spent by his Department on the epidemiological survey into Gulf war cases since the issue of the Government reply to the eleventh report of the Defence Committee (HC187 of Session 1995–96). [32927]

Mr. Soames

As I announced on 30 January 1996,Official Report, columns 607–08, my Department will be commissioning a detailed programme of research into Gulf health issues. This research will be overseen by the Medical Research Council, which will ensure an objective, impartial and scientific approach. The MRC issued a call for research proposals including epidemiological studies at the end of May. Some preparatory work has already been completed on the database to support such research, but the costs of this work cannot be separately identified. My Department will, of course, meet the full costs of those research projects selected by the MRC as being most appropriate.